2027 Best Theology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Theology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theology students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Theology in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theology education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Theology
Wheaton College Illinois tops our 2027 ranking of the best theology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 35 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $56,069 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292.
More information about a degree in theology from Wheaton College Illinois
Xavier University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theology, ranking #2. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Xavier University earn around $55,045 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614.
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North Park University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 theology degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
See the full theology program report for North Park University
A rank of #4 makes Moody Bible Institute one of the top schools for theology. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 31 theology students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $47,689 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full theology program report for Moody Bible Institute
A rank of #5 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the top schools for theology. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona Lake. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 20 theology students who graduated with this degree at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,211.
See the full theology program report for Grace College And Theological Seminary
Sacred Heart Major Seminary ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Sacred Heart Major Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 theology students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the most recent data year.
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University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 53 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $45,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theology program at University Of Chicago
University Of Notre Dame ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 108 theology degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $44,657 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theology from University Of Notre Dame
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #9 spot for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Deerfield. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 85 theology students who graduated with this degree at Trinity International University Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $50,178 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete this degree.
See the full theology program report for Trinity International University Illinois
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #10 position for theology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 213 theology degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $37,089. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the theology program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #11 spot for theology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mequon. About 69% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Wisconsin awarded about 11 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,926.
Read more about the theology program at Concordia University Wisconsin
United Theological Seminary placed #12 among the best theology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dayton. United Theological Seminary awarded about 17 theology degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full theology details for United Theological Seminary
University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Set in the suburb of Mundelein, University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake in the most recent year.
Get the full theology details for University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.
- 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.
