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2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

108 Ranked Colleges
10,027 Degrees Awarded
$20,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 10,027 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 108 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Master’s For Those Getting Aid” 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. 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 Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree theology students with aid.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies (With Aid)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 114 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Yale also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500.

Full Yale Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Harvard is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 115 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harvard

#3

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 15 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at TNU are $9,282, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at TNU

#4

Criswell College

Dallas, Texas

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Criswell College landed the #4 spot on the list. Criswell College is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Criswell College are $10,224.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Criswell College

#5

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Freed-Hardeman University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FHU are $10,980.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at FHU

#5

American Jewish University

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Jewish University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. American Jewish University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at AJU are $32,301, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at AJU

#6

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois

Moody Bible Institute landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 60 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Moody Bible Institute are $8,930.

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

With a ranking of #7, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 192 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

MBTS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

#8

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Harding University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Searcy, Arkansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Harding also claimed a top spot on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harding University are $11,928.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harding

#9

Clarks Summit University

South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Clarks Summit University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. CSU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania. It awarded 22 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $8,280, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Clarks Summit University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#10

The Baptist College of Florida

Graceville, Florida

With a ranking of #10, The Baptist College of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. The Baptist College of Florida is a private not-for-profit institution located in Graceville, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BCF also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Baptist College of Florida are $4,860, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at BCF

#11

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Duke University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 140 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#12

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 86 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Regent University are $17,052, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent

#13

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio

Capital University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 12 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Capital University are $13,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Capital University

Vanguard University of Southern California came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Vanguard is a small school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 4 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students with aid list, Vanguard has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard University of Southern California are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanguard Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#15

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

Andrews University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 115 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Andrews also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Andrews University are $28,910, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Andrews

#16

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 65 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#17

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina

With a ranking of #17, Columbia International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia International University are $10,640, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Columbia International University

#18

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Lenoir - Rhyne University is a small school located in Hickory, North Carolina that handed out 12 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lenoir - Rhyne University are $11,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#19

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno Pacific University are $15,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fresno Pacific

#20

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 34 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Grand Canyon University

#21

Appalachian Bible College

Mount Hope, West Virginia

Appalachian Bible College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Appalachian Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Hope, West Virginia. It awarded 3 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students with aid list, Appalachian Bible College has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian Bible College are $8,100, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Appalachian Bible College

#22

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #22, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 97 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Emory University

#23

Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Xavier University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

XULA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at XULA are $10,932, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene University are $13,393, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Olivet Nazarene Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#25

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

El Dorado Hills, California

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. School of Urban Missions is a private not-for-profit institution located in El Dorado Hills, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary are $6,969.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at School of Urban Missions

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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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