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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $30-$48k)

92 Ranked Colleges
15,832 Degrees Awarded
$11,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 $30-$48k” 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 92 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 $30-$48k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $30-$48k)

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 185 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $-927 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke University

2
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #2 spot on the list. Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 124 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Yale University is $3,083 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Yale

3
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University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

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 $30-$48k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $4,777 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

4
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harvard University is $1,396 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Harvard University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

5
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt University

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 145 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $8,976 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory

7
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #7, Boston College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 110 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $7,075 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Boston College

8
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,612 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wake Forest University

9
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 139 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $9,136 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Notre Dame Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

10
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Moody Bible Institute ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moody Bible Institute is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 200 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Moody Bible Institute is $19,072 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

11
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Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s 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 $15,658 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Olivet Nazarene University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Sewanee - The University of the South did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sewanee, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Sewanee has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $23,671 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sewanee.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

13
AMU crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, Florida

Ave Maria University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. AMU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ave Maria, Florida. It awarded 37 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend AMU is $14,928 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at AMU

14
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Columbia International University is a small school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 47 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia International University is $17,320 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at CIU

15

With a ranking of #15, The Baptist College of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. The Baptist College of Florida is located in Graceville, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend The Baptist College of Florida is $9,421 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full BCF Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16

Lincoln Christian University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is a small school located in Lincoln, Illinois that handed out 60 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary excels when it comes to theology quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $13,524 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lincoln Christian University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

17
Criswell College crest
Criswell College
Dallas, Texas

With a ranking of #17, Criswell College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Criswell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Criswell College also took the # spot in our "" ranking. It costs about $7,968 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Criswell College.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Criswell College Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

18
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Regent 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 $20,707 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Regent University.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent University

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Northwestern - St Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Northwestern - St Paul is $18,896 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Northwestern - St Paul

20
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

With a ranking of #20, Harding University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harding is $16,763 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harding

21
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Johnson University is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $15,132 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Johnson University

22
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Henderson, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FHU, the school also landed the # spot in our "" ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FHU is $15,534 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full FHU Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

23
Drew crest
Drew University
Madison, New Jersey

Drew University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Drew is located in Madison, New Jersey and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Drew also took the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Drew is $17,287 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Drew University

24
CSU crest
Clarks Summit University
South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Clarks Summit University is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,276 for Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSU.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Clarks Summit University

25
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, Washington

Northwest University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kirkland, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,058 for theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest University.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwest University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

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