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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

11 Colleges in the United States
1,286 Theological & Ministerial Studies Degrees Awarded
$49,736 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theological & Ministerial Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theological & ministerial studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theological & ministerial studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theological & Ministerial Studies in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theological & ministerial studies education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Theological & Ministerial Studies

1

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theological & ministerial studies. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 31 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $56,069 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Wheaton College Illinois

2

Moody Bible Institute came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Moody Bible Institute graduates 62% of students within six years. About 209 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $47,689 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Moody Bible Institute

3
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Andrews University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $68,117 in their early career. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Andrews University

4

North Park University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theological & ministerial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $51,611 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at North Park University

5
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Viterbo University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $60,309 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete this degree. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Viterbo University

6

University Of Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Theological & Ministerial Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from University Of Chicago

7
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 29 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Cedarville University

8

University Of Notre Dame ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 119 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $44,657 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for University Of Notre Dame

9

Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #9 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. Grace College And Theological Seminary awarded about 12 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Grace College And Theological Seminary earn around $42,188 in the first couple years of their career. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for Grace College And Theological Seminary

10

Trinity International University Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Trinity International University Illinois awarded about 93 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Trinity International University Illinois earn around $50,178 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,892. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Trinity International University Illinois

11

Sacred Heart Major Seminary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Sacred Heart Major Seminary awarded about 46 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Sacred Heart Major Seminary

12

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates 69% of students within six years. About 20 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $58,227 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,926. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Concordia University Wisconsin

13
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University earned the #13 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 10 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Capital University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. Capital University graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Capital University

14

Anderson University Indiana placed #14 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Anderson University Indiana awarded about 17 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $41,376 in their early career. Anderson University Indiana graduates carry a median of $27,401 in student loans. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Anderson University Indiana

15

Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #15 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Franciscan University Of Steubenville awarded about 204 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $37,089. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Franciscan University Of Steubenville

16
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University landed the #16 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Cornerstone University graduates 63% of students within six years. Cornerstone University awarded about 30 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Cornerstone University earn around $46,456 in the first couple years of their career. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. More information about a degree in theological & ministerial studies from Cornerstone University

17
Earlham College crest
Earlham College
Richmond, IN

Earlham College placed #17 among the best theological & ministerial studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 12 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Earlham College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theological & ministerial studies degree from Earlham College earn around $43,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Earlham College

18
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University landed the #18 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at Ashland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theological & ministerial studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $52,813. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete this degree. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Ashland University

19

Christian Theological Seminary came in at #19 for theological & ministerial studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Christian Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 26 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Christian Theological Seminary in the most recent year. See the full theological & ministerial studies program report for Christian Theological Seminary

20

Ohio Christian University landed the #20 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 theological & ministerial studies degrees were awarded at Ohio Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theological & ministerial studies program make about $45,829 in their early career. Ohio Christian University graduates carry a median of $30,947 in student loans. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Ohio Christian University

21

University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake earned the #21 position for theological & ministerial studies this year. University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mundelein. There were roughly 43 theological & ministerial studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake in the most recent data year. Get the full theological & ministerial studies details for University Of Saint Mary Of The Lake

22

Western Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot for theological & ministerial studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Holland. Western Theological Seminary awarded about 97 theological & ministerial studies degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the theological & ministerial studies program at Western Theological Seminary

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 87 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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