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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Illinois

26 Ranked Colleges
837 Degrees Awarded
$29,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Theological & Ministerial Studies is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 15,832 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, theological and ministerial studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,590 and had an average of $26,272 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 837 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,075 and $16,682 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in theological and ministerial studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their theological and ministerial studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois” list to help you make the college 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois theology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Illinois

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 43 degrees to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Meadville Lombard Theological School. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Meadville Lombard Theological School Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

3

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Saint Mary of the Lake landed the #3 spot on the list. University of St. Mary of the Lake is located in Mundelein, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Saint Mary of the Lake

4

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. Catholic Theological Union at Chicago is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 46 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Catholic Theological Union at Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. McCormick Theological Seminary is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 27 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chicago Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Chicago Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 32 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

7

Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 43 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s theology students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Bexley Seabury Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

9

Lincoln Christian University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Lincoln Christian University is located in Lincoln, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

10

Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small school located in Deerfield, Illinois that handed out 99 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at TIU Illinois

11
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Moody Bible Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. Moody Bible Institute is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 200 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

12

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Northern Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northern Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

13
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

14
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Trinity Christian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Palos Heights, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Trinity Christian Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

15
North Park crest
North Park University
Chicago, Illinois

North Park University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. North Park University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full North Park Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

16
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

17
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at UChicago

18
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Greenville University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Greenville is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, Illinois. It awarded 2 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Greenville University

19
Judson crest
Judson University
Elgin, Illinois

Judson University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 1 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Judson

20
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #20. Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s theology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Loyola Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report

21
Benedictine U crest
Benedictine University
Lisle, Illinois

Benedictine University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Benedictine University is a small school located in Lisle, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Benedictine U

22
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Concordia University, Chicago

23
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Dominican University is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Dominican U

24
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst University is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Elmhurst

25
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University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #25. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at University of Saint Francis

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