2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k)
92
Ranked Colleges
15,832
Degrees Awarded
$12,600
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Theological & Ministerial Studies is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 15,832 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,590 and had an average of $26,272 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 92 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theological and ministerial studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theological and ministerial studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.
Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke University is $371 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Duke Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and it awarded 124 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Yale also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Yale University is $961 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yale
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #5 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,500 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full UChicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #4 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 57 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Vanderbilt also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $3,176 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.
Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $2,564 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harvard University.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harvard University
Boston College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $10,212 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Boston College Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 139 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,872 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Notre Dame
Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wake Forest University
Emory University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $8,538 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory
Ave Maria University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Ave Maria, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,479 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend AMU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Ave Maria University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 464 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
MBTS also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for MBTS is $15,106 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Moody Bible Institute came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Moody Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 200 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also took the #9 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $20,301 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moody Bible Institute.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute
Johnson University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 58 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $12,827 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Johnson University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, The Baptist College of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. BCF is a private not-for-profit institution located in Graceville, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,889 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The Baptist College of Florida.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at BCF
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It costs about $16,451 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Olivet Nazarene University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Drew University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Madison, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.
Drew also took the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,895 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drew.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Drew University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Lincoln Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Lincoln, Illinois, and it awarded 60 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Lincoln Christian College and Seminary also claimed a top spot on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Christian University is $16,161 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Lincoln Christian College and Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Harding University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,856 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harding University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harding
Fresno Pacific University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno Pacific University is a small school located in Fresno, California that handed out 13 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific University is $17,544 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fresno Pacific University
Sewanee - The University of the South ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sewanee - The University of the South is located in Sewanee, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Sewanee also took the #16 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sewanee is $23,567 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Sewanee
Columbia International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Columbia International University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 47 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CIU is $15,997 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full CIU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Regent University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $20,479 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent.
Full Regent University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Freed-Hardeman University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, FHU has also earned the # rank in our "" ranking. It costs about $12,813 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Freed-Hardeman University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at FHU
With a ranking of #24, Oral Roberts University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 128 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oral Roberts University is $16,080 for Theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Oral Roberts University
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bethel University Minnesota, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $21,313 for theology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Bethel University Minnesota
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