2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 159 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in theological and ministerial studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality theological and ministerial studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region.
Top 16 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ashland University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Ashland University is a small school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 13 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Ashland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland University are $6,444, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Ashland University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Grace College and Theological Seminary landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Winona Lake, Indiana, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Grace College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College and Theological Seminary are $7,872, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. LSTC is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 8 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
LSTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago are $19,345, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Wheaton College Illinois landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Maranatha Baptist University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. MBU is a small school located in Watertown, Wisconsin that handed out 1 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
MBU also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Maranatha Baptist University are $7,010, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Maranatha Baptist University
Anderson University Indiana came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Anderson University Indiana is located in Anderson, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Anderson University Indiana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University Indiana are $11,455, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Anderson University Indiana Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Andrews University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree theology students list, Andrews has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Andrews University are $28,910, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Andrews
Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Loyola University Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Christian Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree theology students list, Christian Theological Seminary has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Christian Theological Seminary are $12,990, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Christian Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Trinity International University - Illinois came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Deerfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.
TIU Illinois also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TIU Illinois are $17,780.
Methodist Theological School in Ohio came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Delaware, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
MTSO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Methodist Theological School in Ohio are $25,240, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Western Theological Seminary ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Holland, Michigan, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
Western Theological Seminary also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Theological Seminary are $15,940, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Western Theological Seminary
Nashotah House did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. Nashotah, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s theology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Nashotah House, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Nashotah House are $15,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Nashotah House
Payne Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Wilberforce, Ohio 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.
Payne Theological Seminary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Payne Theological Seminary are $18,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Payne Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s theology students in 2019-2020.
Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Notre Dame
University of Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree theology students list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Chicago
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region
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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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