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2023 Best Value Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations (Income $0-$30k)

104 Ranked Colleges
27,459 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 27,459 people earned their degree in theology and religious vocations, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, theology and religious vocations graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,020 and had an average of $26,322 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 104 colleges that offer a degree in theology and religious vocations. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great theology and religious vocations programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the theology and religious vocations program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Theology & Religious Vocations (Income $0-$30k)

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. It costs about $371 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Duke

2
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Yale is $961 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Yale University

3
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University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,500 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full University of Chicago Theology & Religious Vocations Report

4
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 57 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Vanderbilt University

5
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 94 degrees to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.

Harvard also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Harvard is $2,564 for Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Harvard Theology & Religious Vocations Report

6
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Boston College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 116 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,212 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boston College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Boston College

7
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

With a ranking of #7, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 150 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,872 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Notre Dame.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Notre Dame Theology & Religious Vocations Report

8
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #8, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

9
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 152 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. It costs about $8,538 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Emory

10
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 261 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.

Johnson University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $12,827 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Johnson University

11
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Moody Bible Institute did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 706 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School is $20,301 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School

12
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 83 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,451 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Olivet Nazarene

13
AMU crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, Florida

Ave Maria University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. AMU is a small school located in Ave Maria, Florida that handed out 37 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,479 for Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ave Maria University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at AMU

14
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Searcy, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,856 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harding.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Harding

15
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FHU is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 40 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Freed-Hardeman University is $12,813 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

16

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 594 students in 2020-2021.

MBTS also took the #11 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,106 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MBTS.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at MBTS

17
Drew crest
Drew University
Madison, New Jersey

Drew University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Madison, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drew, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drew University is $16,895 for Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Drew University Theology & Religious Vocations Report

18
Ozark Christian College crest
Ozark Christian College
Joplin, Missouri

Ozark Christian College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 141 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ozark Christian College is $13,895 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Ozark Christian College

19
Appalachian Bible College crest
Appalachian Bible College
Mount Hope, West Virginia

Appalachian Bible College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Hope, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian Bible College is $15,398 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Appalachian Bible College

20
BCF crest
The Baptist College of Florida
Graceville, Florida

The Baptist College of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. BCF is a small school located in Graceville, Florida that handed out 23 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The Baptist College of Florida is $8,889 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at The Baptist College of Florida

21

With a ranking of #21, Sewanee - The University of the South did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sewanee, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

Sewanee also made our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $23,567 for Theology & Religious Vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sewanee.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Sewanee

22

Lincoln Christian University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lincoln Christian University is a small school located in Lincoln, Illinois that handed out 107 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Christian University is $16,161 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lincoln Christian College and Seminary Theology & Religious Vocations Report

23
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

With a ranking of #23, Columbia International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia International University is a small school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 190 ’s theology and religious vocations degrees in 2020-2021.

CIU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia International University is $15,997 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Columbia International University

24
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s theology and religious vocations degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific University is $17,544 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Theology & Religious Vocations at Fresno Pacific

25
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 157 diplomas to qualified ’s theology and religious vocations students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,111 for theology & religious vocations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lee University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Theology & Religious Vocations at Lee University

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