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2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

29 Ranked Colleges
5,813 Degrees Awarded
$15,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 5,813 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,235 and $26,413 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 185 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $-927 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duke. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,652 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt.

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. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Vanderbilt

3
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emory University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 145 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $8,976 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Emory Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

4
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 34 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $5,612 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sewanee - The University of the South. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sewanee is a small school located in Sewanee, Tennessee that handed out 31 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sewanee also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Sewanee - The University of the South is $23,671 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Sewanee - The University of the South

6
AMU crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, Florida

Ave Maria University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at AMU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,928 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ave Maria University.

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 Ave Maria University

7
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia International University is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

CIU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend CIU is $17,320 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at CIU

8

The Baptist College of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. 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 Southeast Region 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.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at The Baptist College of Florida

9
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Regent is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 198 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Regent also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $20,707 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Regent Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

10
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harding University is located in Searcy, Arkansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Harding also took the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,763 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harding.

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 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 Harding University

11
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 58 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Johnson University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $15,132 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Johnson University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

12
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Freed-Hardeman University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Henderson, Tennessee. It awarded 7 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FHU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Freed-Hardeman University is $15,534 for Southeast Region 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 Freed-Hardeman University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

13
SEU crest
Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida

Southeastern University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SEU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Lakeland, Florida. It awarded 466 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k list, SEU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SEU is $23,474 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at SEU

14
Point crest
Point University
West Point, Georgia

Point University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in West Point, Georgia, and it awarded 19 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Point also took the #22 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,136 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Point.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Point University

15
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Lee University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $14,471 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lee University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16
St. Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida

With a ranking of #16, Saint Leo University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Leo, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Leo University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $17,191 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Leo University.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at St. Leo University

17
Lenoir - Rhyne University crest
Lenoir - Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina

Lenoir - Rhyne University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hickory, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

Lenoir - Rhyne University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $15,112 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lenoir - Rhyne University.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lenoir - Rhyne University

18
Lipscomb crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #18, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lipscomb, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb University is $21,843 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Lipscomb

19
Mercer crest
Mercer University
Macon, Georgia

Mercer University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mercer University is a medium-sized school located in Macon, Georgia that handed out 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Mercer did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $17,971 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mercer University.

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 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 Mercer Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

20
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

Samford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Samford also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Samford University is $22,460 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 Samford University

21
Palm Beach Atlantic crest
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida

With a ranking of #21, Palm Beach Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Palm Beach Atlantic is a small private not-for-profit school situated in West Palm Beach, Florida. It awarded 31 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Palm Beach Atlantic also took the #16 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Palm Beach Atlantic is $21,873 for southeast region theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University

22
Piedmont International University crest
Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Piedmont International University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Piedmont International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Piedmont International University is $12,853 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

23
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 1,692 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $27,251 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Liberty University.

Full Liberty University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

24
TMU crest
Truett McConnell University
Cleveland, Georgia

Truett McConnell University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Cleveland, Georgia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,707 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TMU.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Truett McConnell University

25
Campbell crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina

Campbell University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Campbell is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Buies Creek, North Carolina. It awarded 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Campbell University is $23,055 for Southeast Region Theology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Campbell University

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