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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

15 Ranked Colleges
532 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 15,051 people earned their degree in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the 55th most popular in the United States. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 2,268 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,132 and $45,038 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 532 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theological and ministerial studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great theological and ministerial studies programs and 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

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 a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,800 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at UChicago

#2

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #2 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 48 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,609 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full University of Notre Dame Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#3

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moody Bible Institute. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 137 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,582 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moody Bible Institute.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute

#4

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Andrews University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Andrews University is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Andrews, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,330 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Andrews University.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Andrews Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Olivet Nazarene University landed the #5 spot on the list. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $15,390 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology degrees to 91 students in 2019-2020.

Franciscan U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,812 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.

Full Franciscan U Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#7

Malone University

Canton, Ohio
#12 in overall quality

Malone University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Malone has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Malone is $16,284 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Malone University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Marion, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

IWU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University is $15,005 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Marion, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

IWU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $21,688 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

#10

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

Anderson University Indiana came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, Indiana. It awarded 3 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Anderson University Indiana, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Anderson University Indiana is $18,121 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Anderson University Indiana Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#11

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, Ohio
#11 in overall quality

Ohio Christian University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. OCU is located in Circleville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

OCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend OCU is $22,353 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at OCU

#12

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Cornerstone University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cornerstone University is a small school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 16 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornerstone not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cornerstone is $17,478 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Cornerstone University

#13

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin

Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a medium-sized school located in Mequon, Wisconsin that handed out 10 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Wisconsin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,893 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Wisconsin.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#14

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 3 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola University Chicago

#15

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Concordia University, Ann Arbor ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s theology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor also took the #16 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Ann Arbor is $23,413 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 Concordia University, Ann Arbor

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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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