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2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

15 Ranked Colleges
651 Degrees Awarded
$19,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Theological & Ministerial Studies is the 55th most popular major in the country with 15,051 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $36,911 and had an average of $41,597 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 5,611 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,410 and $44,367 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 651 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in theological and ministerial studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theological and ministerial studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 15 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 27 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#2

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emory University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory

#3

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bob Jones University landed the #3 spot on the list. Bob Jones University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, South Carolina. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Bob Jones University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bob Jones University are $9,573, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Bob Jones University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#4

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia International University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Columbia International University is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CIU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CIU are $10,640.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Columbia International University

#5

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mercer University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Mercer is a private not-for-profit institution located in Macon, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mercer has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mercer University are $15,264, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Mercer University

#6

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria, Florida
#12 in overall quality

Ave Maria University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ave Maria, Florida. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

AMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ave Maria University are $15,386.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ave Maria University

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Sewanee - The University of the South did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sewanee is located in Sewanee, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Sewanee also took the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sewanee - The University of the South are $18,243, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sewanee - The University of the South Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#8

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Samford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Samford is a medium-sized school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 5 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Samford also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Samford are $21,227, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Samford

#9

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

Regent University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 94 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Regent has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Regent University are $17,052, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent University

#10

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

Lipscomb University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lipscomb University is a small school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 2 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lipscomb University are $18,000, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lipscomb University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#11

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Campbell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Campbell University is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Campbell, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Campbell are $14,985.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Campbell

#12

Piedmont International University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

Piedmont International University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Piedmont International University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree theology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Piedmont International University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Piedmont International University are $8,230, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Piedmont International University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#13

Southeastern University

Lakeland, Florida
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Southeastern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeastern University is a medium-sized school located in Lakeland, Florida that handed out 8 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

SEU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SEU are $13,515, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Southeastern University

#14

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #14, Liberty University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Liberty University

#15

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Union University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Union also took the #14 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Union are $10,671.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Union University

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Jonund.

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