by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biblical Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/biblical-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biblical studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for biblical studies students.
What’s on this page:
The right biblical studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Biblical 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 Biblical 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biblical studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among biblical studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
Students looking for strong value in biblical studies will find it at Emmaus Bible College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dubuque, Emmaus Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,800 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,631. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #3 place for biblical studies. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Biblical Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Somerset Christian College one of the best values for biblical studies. Located in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,900. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $24,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Somerset Christian College generally make around $39,150. That is a strong return on a $24,991 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earned it the #5 place for biblical studies. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,270 in tuition and fees. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $21,543. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #6 for value in biblical studies this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $24,876. Biblical Studies graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #7 spot for biblical studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $38,685 to complete the biblical studies program here. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $46,674. That is a strong return on a $38,685 median debt.
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College placed #8 among the best values for biblical studies. Set in the rural area of Pineville, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,720. Median earnings reach $41,623 ten years out.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #9 among the best values for biblical studies. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Davis College placed #10 among the best values for biblical studies. Set in the rural area of Pottersville, Davis College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biblical studies program here. Biblical Studies graduates of Davis College earn a median of $25,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Belhaven University placed #11 among the best values for biblical studies. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $38,582 in student loans. Biblical Studies graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $35,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Elim Bible Institute And College landed the #12 spot for biblical studies value this year. 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. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Elim Bible Institute And College generally make around $18,339. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
Lee University placed #13 among the best values for biblical studies. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,042 to complete the biblical studies program here. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Set against $28,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Cornerstone University landed the #14 spot for biblical studies value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $29,243. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rosedale Bible College earned the #15 position for value in biblical studies this year. Rosedale Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Irwin. In-state tuition and fees average $10,088. Median earnings reach $35,558 ten years out.
Ozark Christian College came in at #16 for value in biblical studies this year. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,000. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the biblical studies program here. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $31,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Regent University landed the #17 spot for biblical studies value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $30,332 in student loans. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $31,604. That is a strong return on a $30,332 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Freed Hardeman University placed #18 among the best values for biblical studies. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $25,000. Biblical Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $44,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Grace Bible College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,190. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $30,263. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace Bible College admits about 99% of applicants.
College Of Biblical Studies Houston landed the #20 spot for biblical studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,275 in tuition and fees. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $22,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from College Of Biblical Studies Houston generally make around $47,781. That is a strong return on a $22,673 median debt.
Bob Jones University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt.
Harding University earned the #22 position for value in biblical studies this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the biblical studies program here. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $48,073. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Christian University came in at #23 for value in biblical studies this year. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,190. Biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $30,947 in student loans. Biblical Studies graduates of Ohio Christian University earn a median of $45,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Appalachian Bible College placed #24 among the best values for biblical studies. Appalachian Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Hope. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,760. Students borrow a median of $12,865 to complete the biblical studies program here. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Appalachian Bible College generally make around $21,367. Set against $12,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University landed the #25 spot for biblical studies value this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $28,938. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $34,282. Set against $28,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biblical studies:
Biblical Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 2,470 |
View All Biblical Studies Concentrations >
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
