2027 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theology Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinity International University Illinois the best value for a degree in theology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,178. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $68,117. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $24,140 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Theology graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $45,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes North Park University one of the best values for theology. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,360. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,188. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #7 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ashland University earned the #8 position for value in theology this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $52,813 early in their careers. Set against $24,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capital University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. That is a strong return on a $28,269 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #10 for value in theology this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Earlham College came in at #11 for value in theology this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,125. Early-career theology graduates make about $43,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Anderson University Indiana placed #12 among the best values for theology. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,240. Theology graduates carry a median of $27,401 in student loans. Theology graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. Set against $27,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Virginia Baptist College came in at #13 for value in theology this year. Virginia Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lawrenceburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,712. Virginia Baptist College admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #14 for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $44,657. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #15 position for value in theology this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,292. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $56,069. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University landed the #16 spot for theology value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #17 for value in theology this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
