ERIC Number: EJ1470859
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1536-3759
EISSN: EISSN-1539-4107
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Mission, Models, and Money: An Empirical Analysis of Graduate Theological Education
Chris A. Meinzer1; Deborah H. C. Gin1
Christian Higher Education, v24 n2 p106-125 2025
This article explored the state of the industry of graduate theological education using three key measures: accessibility, affordability, and financial sustainability. Access was analyzed with respect to educational modality (i.e., in-person, distance) and student populations (i.e., by demographic category). Affordability was investigated by considering tuition discounting and student educational debt. Financial sustainability was examined related to institutions' operating results (i.e., annual deficit or surplus), cost to educate a student, and revenue sources. The analysis found areas where theological schools are successfully expanding access and pushing for affordability. It also identified areas where there is significant work to be done in terms of affordability and financial sustainability. The article includes a thorough history of use and exploration of data among The Association of Theological Schools and a list of recommended actions for schools to take to understand the implications of these key metrics.
Descriptors: Graduate Study, Theological Education, Access to Education, Educational Finance, Sustainability, Tuition, Debt (Financial), Costs, Income, Educational History
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Association of Theological Schools, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA