2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Leading the list is Trinity International University Illinois, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,314. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which ranked #3. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $15,854. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #6 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Cornerstone University came in at #7 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $43,009 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $46,456 early in their careers. Set against $43,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Viterbo University earned the #8 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $29,107. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $60,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $47,689 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ohio Christian University landed the #10 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,190. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $30,947. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $45,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
Ashland University came in at #11 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $52,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capital University came in at #12 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Students borrow a median of $28,269 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Capital University earn a median of $46,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,269 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #13 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cedarville University landed the #14 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Earlham College placed #15 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Earlham College generally make around $43,038. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Earlham College admits about 73% of applicants.
Anderson University Indiana landed the #16 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,240. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $27,401. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,401 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Virginia Baptist College placed #17 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the town of Lawrenceburg, Virginia Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,712 in tuition and fees. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #18 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $44,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $56,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Xavier University came in at #20 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #21 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,926. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
