2026 Best Value Theology Schools in Illinois
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for theology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theology Schools
Our analysis ranked North Park University the best value for a degree in theology in Illinois. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Trinity International University Illinois, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Theology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $56,069. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.
