2020 Most Affordable Online Master of Divinity Programs
These 25 schools make up the most affordable options for obtaining an online master's degree in divinity, with all of their annual tuition rates priced at less than $18,000. Multnomah University, the #1 option, charges only $12,740 per year. Liberty University, ranked #2, offers an annual tuition rate of $5,500 for its MA: Divinity: Community Chaplaincy (Non-Thesis). Courses for this program include Chaplain Ethics, Community Chaplaincy, Contemporary Evangelism, Global Studies Survey, Pluralism & World Religions, and Spiritual Formation.
You can read more about our ranked schools below or browse our rankings of the most affordable online master's programs. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | $5,500 | |
| Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary | $7,280 | |
| Regent University Online | $9,000 | |
| Northwest Nazarene University | $9,270 | |
| Amridge University | $9,600 | |
| Moody Bible Institute | $9,790 | |
| North Greenville University | $9,875 | |
| Bethel University - MN | $10,160 | |
| Anderson University - IN | $10,258 | |
| Houston Baptist University | $10,350 | |
| Corban University | $11,455 | |
| Wayland Baptist University | $11,976 | |
| Abilene Christian University | $12,168 | |
| Bob Jones University | $12,325 | |
| Columbia International University | $13,260 | |
| Multnomah University | $12,740 | |
| Clarks Summit University | $13,795 | |
| Loyola University Chicago | $14,184 | |
| Hope International University | $14,355 | |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | $14,910 | |
| Crown College | $15,660 | |
| Denver Seminary | $16,335 | |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $17,690 | |
| Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | $17,775 | |
| Southeastern University | $17,820 |
Liberty University Lynchburg (VA) Liberty University's 100% online Master of Divinity allows students to customize their education to fit their personal objectives and goals. Core courses include Ministry Writing and Research, Biblical Studies, Apologetics, Evangelism, and Discipleship Ministries. Students can choose one of 16 areas of specialization, including Leadership, Youth and Family Ministries, Theology, Biblical Languages, and Christian Ministries. Students must complete a total of 75 credit hours, which typically takes two... years. Courses span eight weeks and are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. There are no set log in times, and students can complete coursework at their convenience as long as they meet deadlines. In addition to frozen tuition rates, Liberty offers payment plans, scholarships, credit for prior learning, and tuition discounts to active military, veterans, and first responders. Online students can take advantage of resources, such as the IT Helpdesk, peer tutoring, and online student communities. To be admitted into the Master of Divinity online degree program, applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Prospective students need to submit an application, official transcripts, and a letter of recommendation from their pastor.
Example Classes: Chaplain Ethics, Community Chaplaincy, Contemporary Evangelism, Global Studies Survey, Pluralism & World Religions, Spiritual Formation Online Master's Degrees
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Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Elkhart (IN) The online Master of Divinity program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is known as MDiv Connect. The program combines online courses with some hybrid courses, including two annual, week-long visits to the campus. MDiv Connect students must complete 53 credit hours of online courses and 27 credit hours of hybrid courses. The first of these hybrid courses is called LEAP, which stands for Leadership Education in Anabaptist Perspective, and it serves as the foundational course for the... entire program. MDiv Connect students are expected to take the LEAP course, held every August, before all others. The purpose of these on-campus visits is to learn and experience practices for spiritual formation, such as community worship, morning prayers, community meals, and other group meetings. Students can pursue one of three concentrations: Pastoral Ministry, Chaplaincy, or Christian Faith Formation. Students are required to write a thesis and take a capstone ministry assessment course. Online course content is delivered through the Moodle learning management system. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and distance learners can access an online bookstore and library resources. Prospective students can submit an online form through the school's website. Applicants will need to provide documentation of previous education, a resume, and a personal essay describing motivations for pursuing a Master of Divinity online degree at AMBS.
Example Classes: Christian Leadership in the 21st Century, God’s Shalom and the Church’s Witness, Leadership Education in Anabaptist Perspective, Old Testament Book Study, Principles of Pastoral Care, Strange New World of the Bible Online Master's Degrees
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Regent University Online Virginia Beach (VA) Regent University offers an online Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree that requires 72 credit hours. The online program includes core courses in Christian history, Biblical writings, scriptural interpretations, leadership, and spiritual formation. Students can then opt for courses in one of the 15 areas of specialization, including Church Planting, Biblical Languages, Cyber Theology, Chaplain Ministry, or Worship & Media. The program is meant to prepare students to lead churches, ministry organizations,... or faith-based nonprofit organizations, and can also lead to ordination or ministry licensure. The online M.Div. program is delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. Eight start dates are offered per year, and courses span eight weeks. Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of location, and financial aid and scholarships are available. Distance learners have access to many of the same academic and student resources as they would on campus, such as career guidance, counseling services, and technical support. To be considered for Regent’s School of Divinity, prospective students need to have earned a four-year bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university and must have maintained a minimum 2.75 GPA. Applicants should submit their applications, personal statements, transcripts, and admissions questionnaire through the school’s website.
Example Classes: Christian Ethics, Christian Theology, Leadership in Church & Ministry, Preparation of Biblical Messages, Pulpit Ministry, Theology of Global Missions Online Master's Degrees
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Northwest Nazarene University Nampa (ID)
Example Classes: Advanced Biblical Exegesis, Community, Context & Transition, Gospel & Culture, Missional Discipleship, Premodern, Modern & Postmodern Philosophies, Wesleyan Tradition in Context Online Master's Degrees
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Amridge University Montgomery (AL)
Example Classes: History of the Bible, Homiletics, Leadership Vision and Values, Personal Evangelism, Spiritual Leadership, The Life and Teachings of Christ Online Master's Degrees
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Moody Bible Institute Chicago (IL)
Example Classes: Apologetics and World Religions, Essentials for Excellence in Ministry Leadership, Greek Syntax and Exegetical Method, Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis, Narrative Preaching, New Testament Greek I Online Master's Degrees
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North Greenville University Tigerville (SC)
Example Classes: Biblical Interpretation, Christian Theology, Church Growth and Renewal, Contemporary Issues in Church Growth, Personal Evangelism, Spiritual Formation Online Master's Degrees
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Bethel University - MN Saint Paul (MN)
Example Classes: Christian Social Ethics, Church History Survey, Global, Cultural and Contextual Ministry, Hermeneutics, Missional Outreach and Evangelism Online Master's Degrees
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Anderson University - IN Anderson (IN)
Example Classes: Faith and Life Through the Hebrew Scriptures, Faith Seeking Understanding, Hermeneutics and Critical Reflection in Theological Education, History of Christianity, Missio Dei: Introduction to Culture Studies, New Testament Seminar: Jesus and the Caesars |
Houston Baptist University Houston (TX)
Example Classes: Hermeneutics, History of Christianity, Old Testament Theology, Spiritual Formation I, Systematic Theology, The Theology of the New Testament Online Master's Degrees
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Corban University Salem (OR)
Example Classes: Becoming a Servant Leader, Church History, Engaging Worldviews, God and His Word: Theological Foundations, Interpreting Scripture, Preaching Scripture, Servant Leadership, Theology, Understanding Church History Online Master's Degrees
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Wayland Baptist University Plainview (TX)
Example Classes: Christian Worship, Church Administration, Evangelism, Historical Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Preaching Online Master's Degrees
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Abilene Christian University Abilene (TX)
Example Classes: Contexts of Ministry, Critical Interpretation of the New Testament, Healthcare Ministry, Old Testament Theology, The Practice of Ministerial Leadership Online Master's Degrees
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Bob Jones University Greenville (SC)
Example Classes: Advanced Systematic Theology, Biblical Hermeneutics, Biblical Sanctification, Christian Apologetics, Methods of Greek Exegesis, Methods of Hebrew Exegesis Online Master's Degrees
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Columbia International University Columbia (SC)
Example Classes: Chapel I, Foundations of Spiritual Formation, Genesis to Song of Solomon: God's Plan of Creation and Redemption, Gospels: God's Means of Providing Redemption, Hermeneutics: Interpreting and Applying the Bible, Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Online Master's Degrees
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Multnomah University Portland (OR)
Example Classes: Acts, Pauline Epistles, Biblical Interpretation, Christian Theology and World Religions, Contemporary Theology & Ethics, Genesis through Song of Solomon, Preaching Narrative Literature Online Master's Degrees
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Clarks Summit University Clarks Summit (PA)
Example Classes: Church and Baptist Distinctives, Dispensational Premillenialism , Elements of Hebrew, Pastoral Ministry Skills, Pentateuch Online Master's Degrees
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Loyola University Chicago Chicago (IL)
Example Classes: Church and Mission, Introduction to Spirituality Praxis, Introduction to Theology and Ministry, Literature of Ancient Israel, Liturgy and Christian Sacraments, Spiritual Paths in World Religions, The Foundations of Christian Spirituality Online Master's Degrees
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Hope International University Fullerton (CA)
Example Classes: Bible Study Methods and Tools, Church History: Past, Present, and Future, Dynamics of Servant Leadership, Theology of Mission, Theology of Worship, Theology Survey: Christian Beliefs and Practices Online Master's Degrees
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New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans (LA)
Example Classes: Christian Missions, Church Evangelism, Church Leadership and Administration, Counseling in Ministry, Discipleship Strategies Online Master's Degrees
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Crown College Saint Bonifacius (MN)
Example Classes: Biblical Theology, Christian Theology, Hermeneutics & Theological Research, History of the Church, Theology of Missions & Outreach Online Master's Degrees
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Denver Seminary Littleton (CO)
Example Classes: Apologetics & Ethics, Hebrew, History of Apologetics, Kingdom of Israel & Prophets, Survey of Christian Doctrine, Thinking Biblically & Theologic, Worship Theory & Practice Online Master's Degrees
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Freed-Hardeman University Henderson (TN)
Example Classes: Deity of Christ, Greek Readings, Hebrew Exegesis, Life of Paul, Old Testament Wisdom Literature Online Master's Degrees
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Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City (MO)
Example Classes: Baptist History, Christian Ethics, Church Administration, Evangelism & Discipleship, Theology & Philosophy of Missions Online Master's Degrees
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Southeastern University Lakeland (FL)
Example Classes: Biblical Exposition and Faith Integration, Introduction to New Testament Literature and History, Introduction to the Background and Theological Themes of the Old Testament, Major Prophets, Pastoral Epistles, Pentateuch Online Master's Degrees
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