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2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

23 Ranked Colleges
1,392 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Theology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region” 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.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,392 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in theological and ministerial studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent theological and ministerial studies programs, but they also cost less that 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moody Bible Institute. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School are $8,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Moody Bible Institute Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Grace College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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

#3

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ashland University landed the #3 spot on the list. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Ashland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Ashland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Franciscan University of Steubenville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. This small school is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and it awarded 43 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Franciscan U also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Franciscan University of Steubenville are $12,888, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. LSTC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

LSTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

#6

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 33 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree theology students list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#7

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio

Capital University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Capital University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Capital did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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 Capital are $13,000.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Capital

#8

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 10 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola University Chicago

#9

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

Andrews University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Andrews University is located in Berrien Springs, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 115 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Andrews also took the #3 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Andrews University are $28,910, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Andrews

#10

Anderson University Indiana

Anderson, Indiana

Anderson University Indiana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Anderson University Indiana is a small school located in Anderson, Indiana that handed out 10 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Anderson University Indiana also took the #19 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University Indiana are $11,455, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Anderson University Indiana

Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 38 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree theology students list, Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary are $22,747, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary

#12

Christian Theological Seminary

Indianapolis, Indiana

Christian Theological Seminary landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Christian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 18 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Theological Seminary also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Christian Theological Seminary are $12,990, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 27 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IWU are $11,977, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at IWU

With a ranking of #14, Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. TIU Illinois is located in Deerfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 102 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.

TIU Illinois also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TIU Illinois are $17,780.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at TIU Illinois

#15

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Grand Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Cornerstone did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornerstone are $14,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Cornerstone University

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Northern Seminary also took the #21 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary are $13,929, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Northern Seminary

Pontifical College Josephinum ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pontifical College Josephinum, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pontifical College Josephinum are $27,797.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Pontifical College Josephinum

With a ranking of #18, Methodist Theological School in Ohio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Delaware, Ohio, and it awarded 18 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

MTSO also made our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Methodist Theological School in Ohio are $25,240, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Methodist Theological School in Ohio

#19

Concordia Theological Seminary

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Concordia Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Concordia Theological Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia Theological Seminary are $31,551, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Concordia Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#20

Payne Theological Seminary

Wilberforce, Ohio

Payne Theological Seminary ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Wilberforce, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 43 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

Payne Theological Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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

#21

Nashotah House

Nashotah, Wisconsin

Nashotah House ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Nashotah House is a small school located in Nashotah, Wisconsin that handed out 16 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

Nashotah House did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’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 Nashotah House are $15,700.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Nashotah House

#22

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified masters’s theology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Notre Dame Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

#23

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Theology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 59 masters’s theology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago 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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