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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

17 Ranked Colleges
2,366 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 15,832 people earned their degree in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the 63rd most popular in the United States. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 2,366 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,653 and $21,394 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 17 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $8,375 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, 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 100%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at UChicago

2
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 139 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Notre Dame

3
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $19,450 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Moody Bible Institute Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

4
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Olivet Nazarene University landed the #4 spot on the list. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $17,206 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Olivet Nazarene University

5

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lincoln Christian University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Lincoln, Illinois, and it awarded 60 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,602 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.

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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

6

Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Franciscan U is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Franciscan U has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Franciscan U is $21,640 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, 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 86%.

Full Franciscan University of Steubenville Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

7
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $18,373 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

8
Andrews crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan

Andrews University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Berrien Springs, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 154 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Andrews has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,344 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Andrews University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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 Andrews University

9

Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Deerfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

TIU Illinois also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity International University - Illinois is $19,588 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Trinity International University - Illinois Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 10 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IWU is $19,205 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University

11
OCU crest
Ohio Christian University
Circleville, Ohio

Ohio Christian University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Circleville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

OCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for OCU is $21,438 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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.

Full Ohio Christian University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

12

Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,727 for great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Grace College.

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 Grace College

13
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

With a ranking of #13, Ashland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ashland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Ohio. It awarded 17 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region theology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ashland has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ashland is $20,412 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Ashland

14

Concordia University, Wisconsin landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Wisconsin also made our "" list, coming in at #. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Wisconsin is $22,710 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Concordia University, Wisconsin

15
Cornerstone crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 42 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cornerstone did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornerstone University is $18,541 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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%.

Full Cornerstone University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IWU is located in Marion, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IWU is $19,539 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

17
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $32,229 for Great Lakes Region Theology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Loyola Chicago.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola Chicago

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