2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Illinois
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology schools.
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2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology Schools
For return on investment in theology, no school beat Trinity International University Illinois this year. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $45,985. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
North Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,360. Theology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Moody Bible Institute, which ranked #4. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $14,000. Early-career theology graduates make about $47,689. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #5 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the best values for theology. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
