2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois
[Theological & Ministerial Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for theological & ministerial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theological & ministerial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools
For return on investment in theological & ministerial studies, no school beat North Park University this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theological & ministerial studies program here. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #2 place for theological & ministerial studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career theological & ministerial studies graduates make about $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #3 makes Trinity International University Illinois one of the best values for theological & ministerial studies. 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. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,178. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Moody Bible Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for theological & ministerial studies graduates is $23,292. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $56,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
