Best Theological and Ministerial Studies Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
26
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$382,306
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$40,643
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hope International University
Grad rate: 47.9% |
CA | -$11,752 | $51,643 | $51,153 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of Valley Forge
Grad rate: 47.6% |
PA | -$57,436 | $49,645 | $43,134 | $28,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 | Nazarene Bible College | CO | -$69,648 | $41,240 | N/A | $40,332 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
Grad rate: 34.0% |
WA | -$235,343 | $38,203 | $30,923 | $26,453 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Moody Bible Institute
Grad rate: 61.3% |
IL | -$257,440 | $36,975 | $34,510 | $14,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Universidad Adventista de las Antillas
Grad rate: 44.5% |
PR | -$279,930 | $33,067 | $14,855 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Grad rate: 52.1% |
IN | -$283,192 | $37,269 | $47,143 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Northwest University
Grad rate: 65.5% |
WA | -$305,419 | $38,203 | $48,442 | $26,453 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Ave Maria University
Grad rate: 53.0% |
FL | -$333,947 | $35,371 | $43,220 | $21,102 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Grad rate: 76.7% |
OH | -$350,290 | $34,764 | $42,955 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Johnson University Florida
Grad rate: 33.3% |
FL | -$382,503 | $30,280 | $29,179 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Johnson University
Grad rate: 63.8% |
TN | -$387,483 | $30,280 | $30,424 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
University of Notre Dame
Grad rate: 96.6% |
IN | -$391,034 | $39,773 | $80,211 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Corban University
Grad rate: 57.2% |
OR | -$398,524 | $32,185 | $50,556 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
The Master's University and Seminary
Grad rate: 68.7% |
CA | -$400,062 | $33,338 | $48,682 | $23,774 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Azusa Pacific University
Grad rate: 62.8% |
CA | -$449,140 | $30,490 | $54,735 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Oral Roberts University
Grad rate: 58.2% |
OK | -$451,520 | $30,973 | $47,367 | $30,750 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Grad rate: 57.7% |
FL | -$466,526 | $31,527 | $55,576 | $25,750 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Baptist University of Florida
Grad rate: 64.8% |
FL | -$470,300 | $24,286 | $20,596 | $24,916 | Full ROI → |
| 20 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | TX | -$514,676 | $21,903 | $20,532 | $22,673 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Benedictine College
Grad rate: 66.5% |
KS | -$535,167 | $26,975 | $50,820 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Martin Luther College
Grad rate: 72.9% |
MN | -$555,573 | $21,358 | $29,288 | $18,949 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Grad rate: 50.9% |
MI | -$574,332 | $25,109 | $50,378 | $25,926 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Grad rate: 65.3% |
WI | -$579,692 | $25,109 | $51,718 | $25,926 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Yeshivath Viznitz
Grad rate: 71.4% |
NY | -$598,184 | $15,470 | $16,896 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Yeshiva of Nitra Rabbinical College
Grad rate: 17.6% |
NY | -$600,860 | $16,517 | $22,800 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Theological and Ministerial Studies Degrees by State
Browse Theological and Ministerial Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.