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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

16 Ranked Colleges
532 Degrees Awarded
$23,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Moody Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 137 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,646 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid per year to attend Moody Bible Institute.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

#2

Kuyper College

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Kuyper College landed the #2 spot on the list. Kuyper College is a small school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 10 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kuyper also took the #4 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kuyper College is $20,716 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Kuyper

#3

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 48 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theology students 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 $33,025 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid per year to attend Notre Dame.

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. The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Notre Dame

#4

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olivet Nazarene University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 8 bachelors’s theology degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $20,195 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid.

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%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

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 #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Andrews did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Andrews is $21,934 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Andrews University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid list, IWU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $22,207 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Franciscan U is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Franciscan U, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville is $24,918 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Franciscan U Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 8 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IWU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana Wesleyan University is $20,946 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

#9

Malone University

Canton, Ohio
#12 in overall quality

Malone University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Malone is a small school located in Canton, Ohio that handed out 2 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Malone not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Malone University is $19,897 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Malone

#10

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Cornerstone University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

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 yearly cost to attend Cornerstone is $20,740 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Cornerstone University

#11

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, Ohio
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Ohio Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Circleville, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 52 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

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 $24,500 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid.

The impressive 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ohio Christian University

#12

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

Anderson University Indiana landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Anderson University Indiana is located in Anderson, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s theology degrees to qualified students.

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 $22,351 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid.

The impressive 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Anderson University Indiana

#13

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin

Concordia University, Wisconsin ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified bachelors’s theology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Wisconsin, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Wisconsin is $23,855 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

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%.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#14

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

University of Chicago ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $27,315 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at UChicago

#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 Getting Aid list. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $24,557 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree theology students with aid per year to attend Concordia University, Ann Arbor.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Ann Arbor Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#16

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $35,407 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Theology students with aid per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola Chicago

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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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