by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 780 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
The right religious studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Religious Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Religious Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in religious studies, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,620. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #3 makes American Public University System one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,000. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,873 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $19,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #6 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #7 among the best values for religious studies. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $24,621. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $31,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Elyon College placed #8 among the best values for religious studies. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
Hebrew Theological College placed #9 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,150 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,291. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $22,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,349 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for religious studies value this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University placed #14 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $39,471 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,471 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed earned the #15 position for value in religious studies this year. Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,100. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $51,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Elim Bible Institute And College placed #17 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,678. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $11,998. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $18,339. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College came in at #18 for value in religious studies this year. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $10,600 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,330. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshivath Viznitz placed #19 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,000. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivath Viznitz earn a median of $13,078 early in their careers.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750. Median earnings reach $62,526 ten years out. Yeshiva Toras Chaim admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #21 spot for religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $25,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,267 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Seminary Bnos Chaim placed #22 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Lakewood, Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,150. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Seminary Bnos Chaim generally make around $29,430. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel earned the #23 position for value in religious studies this year. Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $15,500. Religious Studies graduates of Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel earn a median of $22,543 early in their careers.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim came in at #24 for value in religious studies this year. Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,700. Yeshiva Derech Chaim admits about 88% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute earned the #25 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,192 ten years after entry. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s religious studies value ranking:
Religious Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Talmudic Studies | 1,981 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 993 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies | 793 |
| Christian Studies | 359 |
| Catholic Studies | 34 |
| Islamic Studies | 17 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other | 13 |
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 780 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.