by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theological & ministerial studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theological & ministerial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among theological & ministerial studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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.
North Park University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies 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 theological & ministerial studies will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
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Trinity International University Illinois came in at #6 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $26,892. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $50,178. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University placed #7 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $60,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Ashland University came in at #8 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $24,536. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $52,813. That is a strong return on a $24,536 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #9 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,240. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $27,401. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $41,376. That is a strong return on a $27,401 median debt. Anderson University Indiana admits about 79% of applicants.
Cornerstone University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $46,456. Set against $43,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Christian University came in at #11 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,947 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $45,829. That is a strong return on a $30,947 median debt. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
Capital University earned the #12 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,234. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $28,269. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. That is a strong return on a $28,269 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #13 spot for theological & ministerial studies value this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,089 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #14 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $47,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Earlham College came in at #15 for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,125. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of Earlham College earn a median of $43,038 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Cedarville University placed #16 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin placed #17 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $25,926. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #18 among the best values for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $56,069. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #19 position for value in theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $44,657. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.