2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Doctorate” 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,419 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 67 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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The theology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate”.
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 for a Doctorate
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate.
Top 26 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 61 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
MBTS also took the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bethel University Minnesota. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.
Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Bethel University Minnesota
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fuller Theological Seminary. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate. Fuller Theological Seminary is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 69 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theology students list, Fuller has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fuller Theological Seminary are $21,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Liberty University landed the #4 spot on the list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Liberty University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Asbury Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate. Located in Wilmore, Kentucky, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 40 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
Asbury Seminary also took the #12 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Asbury Seminary are $16,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary
Columbia International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theology students list, CIU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CIU are $10,640, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Columbia International University
Ashland University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Ashland University is a small school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 13 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ashland
With a ranking of #8, Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a small school located in Winona Lake, Indiana that handed out 2 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College are $7,872, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Dallas Theological Seminary came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Dallas, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 31 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
DTS Dallas also took the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DTS Dallas are $18,430, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
Luther Seminary landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.
Luther Seminary also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Luther Seminary are $18,675, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Luther Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
LSTC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at LSTC are $19,345, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, Regent University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 94 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
Regent not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Regent are $17,052, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Regent
Seattle University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Seattle U also took the #20 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle U are $14,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Seattle U
Oral Roberts University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at ORU are $12,282, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Oral Roberts University
Lancaster Bible College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Lancaster Bible College are $11,460, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lancaster Bible College
Sewanee - The University of the South ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Sewanee, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
Sewanee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sewanee are $18,243, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. This small school is located in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 54 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Gordon - Conwell Seminary also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary are $22,100, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Gordon - Conwell Seminary
Evangel University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Evangel are $8,838.
Full Evangel University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Bob Jones University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #19. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Bob Jones University are $9,573, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Bob Jones University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #20, Drew University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. This small school is located in Madison, New Jersey, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theology students list, Drew has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Drew University are $19,871, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Drew
Southeastern University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. SEU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Lakeland, Florida. It awarded 8 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at SEU are $13,515, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Southeastern University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Wheaton College Illinois is located in Wheaton, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree theology students list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois
With a ranking of #23, Maranatha Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate list. Watertown, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Maranatha Baptist University are $7,010, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Maranatha Baptist University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Missio Seminary came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Missio Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. It awarded 8 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missio Seminary are $12,924.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Missio Seminary
Anderson University Indiana came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University Indiana are $11,455, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Anderson University Indiana Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Santa Clara University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. SCU is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.
SCU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507.
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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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