2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theological & ministerial studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Mary, our #1 best value for theological & ministerial studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,270. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $21,543. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Martin Luther College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Students borrow a median of $18,949 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $15,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Evangel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,876. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $57,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque came in at #7 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $51,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Bible College placed #8 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the rural area of Ellendale, Trinity Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,700. Median earnings reach $35,604 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Saint Johns University came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,646. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $47,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $40,532. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Benedictine College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,350. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $32,202. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $46,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $71,681. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Creighton University earned the #14 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
Narrow Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools by State
More Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings
View All Theological & Ministerial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
