Best colleges for Theological and Ministerial Studies in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Moody Bible Institute, Trinity International University - Illinois and University of Chicago award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois: 200, 110 and 69 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Illinois colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies and award 697 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Theological and Ministerial Studies program focuses on the study of theology and religious vocations, preparing students for various roles within religious communities. It is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,488 | 200 | 62% | $24,848 | $14,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago Private not-for-profit | 200 | $33,488 |
| 2 | Trinity International University - Illinois Deerfield Private not-for-profit | 110 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 69 | Not reported |
| 4 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 36 | Not reported |
| 5 | North Park University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 33 | Not reported |
| 6 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 8 | Concordia University - Chicago River Forest Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Trinity Christian College Palos Heights Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Greenville University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 11 Illinois colleges offering Theological and Ministerial Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Saint Mary of the Lake (Graduate only) | Mundelein | Private not-for-profit | 38 |
| Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Evanston | Private not-for-profit | 29 |
| Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Lisle | Private not-for-profit | 27 |
| Chicago Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 24 |
| Catholic Theological Union at Chicago (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation, Inc. (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Meadville Theological School of Lombard College (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| McCormick Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| American Islamic College | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Benedictine University | Lisle | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Clergy (SOC 21-2011).
Top skills
What Clergy earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Theological and Ministerial Studies programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees?+
Moody Bible Institute (200 graduates a year), Trinity International University - Illinois (110 graduates a year) and University of Chicago (69 graduates a year) award the most Theological and Ministerial Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Illinois colleges offer Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Which Theological and Ministerial Studies program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Moody Bible Institute tops the list at $33,488. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Clergy earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Clergy in Illinois is $62,490 (median $61,820), across about 2,200 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Theological and Ministerial Studies program?+
The Theological and Ministerial Studies program focuses on the study of theology and religious vocations, preparing students for various roles within religious communities. It is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Clergy?+
The national job outlook is about +1.0% growth with around 23,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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