2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Illinois
18
Ranked Colleges
574
Degrees Awarded
$45,182
Avg Salary
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 15,832 people earned their degree in theological and ministerial studies, making the major the 63rd most popular in the United States. 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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 574 theological and ministerial studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,317 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in theological and ministerial studies. That schools that top this list have a program in theological and ministerial studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
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 for a Master’s 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree theology students.
Top 18 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Theological & Ministerial Studies in Illinois
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. LSTC is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 41 masters’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.
Full Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Meadville Lombard Theological School. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Meadville Lombard Theological School is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 12 masters’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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Meadville Lombard Theological School Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Saint Mary of the Lake. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois. University of Saint Mary of the Lake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mundelein, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 masters’s 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.
Full University of St. Mary of the Lake Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 44 masters’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.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s theology degrees to 27 students 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 McCormick Theological Seminary
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chicago Theological Seminary. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Chicago Theological Seminary is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 27 masters’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.
Full Chicago Theological Seminary Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 35 masters’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. 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%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary
Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. Bexley Seabury is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 masters’s 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.
Full Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Deerfield, Illinois, and it awarded 90 masters’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 full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Trinity International University - Illinois
With a ranking of #10, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is a small school located in Lisle, Illinois that handed out 17 masters’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. 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%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Northern Seminary
Lincoln Christian University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Lincoln Christian University is located in Lincoln, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Lincoln Christian University
Moody Bible Institute ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 72 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Moody Bible Institute
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is located in Wheaton, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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%.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at Wheaton College Illinois
With a ranking of #14, North Park University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 degrees to qualified masters’s theology students 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 North Park
University of Chicago ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 76 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Theological & Ministerial Studies at UChicago
Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #16. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 masters’s theology degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Olivet Nazarene Theological & Ministerial Studies Report
Loyola University Chicago landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois ranking. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Theological & Ministerial Studies at Loyola Chicago
With a ranking of #18, American Islamic College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Theology Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 0 masters’s theology degrees in 2020-2021.
Full American Islamic College 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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate 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
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