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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Plains States Region

10 Ranked Colleges
151 Degrees Awarded
$13,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,350 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,729 and $30,602 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 151 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,701 and $106,703 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 10 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

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 Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region.

Top 12 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Plains States Region

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

MBTS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are $6,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MBTS Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#2

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 10 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bethel University Minnesota landed the #2 spot on the list. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree theology students list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. 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 more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Bethel University Minnesota

#3

Luther Seminary

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 10 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Luther Seminary landed the #3 spot on the list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Luther Seminary are $18,675, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Luther Seminary

#4

Evangel University

Springfield, Missouri
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Evangel University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Evangel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Evangel are $8,838, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Evangel Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#5

Sioux Falls Seminary

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sioux Falls Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Sioux Falls Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 6 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

North American Baptist Seminary also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at North American Baptist Seminary are $3,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full North American Baptist Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#6

Concordia Seminary

Saint Louis, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

Concordia Seminary landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Concordia Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 11 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia Seminary, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia Seminary are $28,815, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Concordia Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#7

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Dubuque did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. University of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dubuque are $13,140.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at UD

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Saint Paul School of Theology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Saint Paul School of Theology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Leawood, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Saint Paul School of Theology also took the #7 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Paul School of Theology are $12,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Saint Paul School of Theology

#9 in overall quality

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Brighton, Minnesota. It awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

United Theological Seminary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at United Theological Seminary are $11,970, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at United Theological Seminary

#10

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#5 in overall quality

Saint Louis University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s theology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree theology students list, SLU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at SLU

#10

Covenant Theological Seminary

Saint Louis, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Covenant Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Covenant Seminary also took the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Covenant Theological Seminary are $13,950.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Covenant Seminary

#12

Eden Theological Seminary

Webster Groves, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

Eden Theological Seminary ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Eden Theological Seminary is a small school located in Webster Groves, Missouri that handed out 1 doctorate’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Eden Theological Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eden Theological Seminary are $10,060.

Full Eden Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

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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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