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2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s

137 Ranked Colleges
10,027 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Master's

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s” ranking.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 10,027 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 137 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the theological and ministerial studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

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 Master’s”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree theology students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’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 Master’s list. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 192 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MBTS, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBTS are $6,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MBTS Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#2

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bethel University Minnesota. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s 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 47 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#3

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moody Bible Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Moody Bible Institute are $8,930.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute

#4

Clarks Summit University

South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clarks Summit University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. South Abington Township, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $8,280.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at CSU

#5

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas
Top 20% in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harding University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s. Searcy, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Harding is in the top on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harding University are $11,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Harding University

#6

The Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita, California

With a ranking of #6, The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 90 students in 2019-2020.

The Master’s University excels when it comes to theology quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Master’s University and Seminary are $10,590, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at The Master’s University and Seminary

#7

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking. TNU is a small school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 15 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Trevecca Nazarene University are $9,282, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Trevecca Nazarene University

#8

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,465 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349.

Full Liberty University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#9

Columbia International University

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 39 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia International University are $10,640, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at CIU

Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Grace College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grace College are $7,872.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary

#11

Fuller Theological Seminary

Pasadena, California

Fuller Theological Seminary ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 286 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Fuller also took the #6 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fuller are $21,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Fuller

#12

Biola University

La Mirada, California

Biola University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 54 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Biola are $11,772.

Full Biola University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#12

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. Freed-Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Freed-Hardeman University are $10,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at FHU

#14

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #14, Oral Roberts University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 33 masters’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 Oral Roberts University are $12,282.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at ORU

With a ranking of #15, Dallas Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. DTS Dallas is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 158 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

DTS Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dallas Theological Seminary are $18,430.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at DTS Dallas

#16

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking. Ashland University is a small school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 28 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ashland Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

Franciscan University of Steubenville ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Franciscan University of Steubenville are $12,888.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Franciscan U

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 29 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students list, LSTC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago are $19,345.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

#19

Asbury Theological Seminary

Wilmore, Kentucky

Asbury Theological Seminary came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking. Wilmore, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 170 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree theology students list, Asbury Seminary has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Asbury Theological Seminary are $16,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Asbury Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#20

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington

With a ranking of #20, Seattle University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Seattle U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Seattle U is also in the top of our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle U are $14,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Seattle University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#21

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of Northwestern - St Paul ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $8,982, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#22

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. Grand Canyon University is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 34 masters’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 Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Full Grand Canyon University Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#23

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 7 masters’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 Olivet Nazarene are $13,393.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Olivet Nazarene

#24

Luther Seminary

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Luther Seminary ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s list. Luther Seminary is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 80 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Luther Seminary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Luther Seminary are $18,675, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Luther Seminary

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Standish, Maine is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Joseph’s Maine are $9,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Saint Joseph’s Maine

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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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