2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Ohio
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Ohio Christian University the best value for a degree in theological & ministerial studies in Ohio. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,947 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $45,829. That is a strong return on a $30,947 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Ashland University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $52,813. Set against $24,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in theological & ministerial studies will find it at Franciscan University Of Steubenville, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $37,089. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cedarville University earned it the #5 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $22,110. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
More Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
