2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Illinois
[Divinity/Ministry](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/divinity-ministry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value divinity/ministry schools.
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2026 Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the divinity/ministry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Divinity/Ministry Schools
Our analysis ranked North Park University the best value for a degree in divinity/ministry in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for divinity/ministry graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, divinity/ministry degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the divinity/ministry program here. Divinity/ministry graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value divinity/ministry schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Divinity/ministry graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Divinity/ministry graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $47,689 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
