[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology & religious vocations students.
Finding the Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations School for You
The right theology & religious vocations school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in theology & religious vocations, no school beat Trinity International University Illinois this year. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Students borrow a median of $32,934 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,091. Set against $32,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Andrews University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $64,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,140. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #4 spot this year. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,368.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. 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. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $45,985. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Emmaus Bible College came in at #8 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Emmaus Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,800. Median earnings reach $42,631 ten years out. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary landed the #9 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,371. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #11 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,596. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
North Park University placed #12 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Somerset Christian College landed the #13 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $25,900. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,991 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $39,150. That is a strong return on a $24,991 median debt.
University Of Mary placed #14 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,983. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The Baptist College Of Florida earned the #15 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,916. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of The Baptist College Of Florida earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. The Baptist College Of Florida admits about 36% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,585. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $40,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Luther College placed #17 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $18,949. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $15,327. That is a strong return on a $18,949 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earned the #18 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,270. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $21,543 early in their careers. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Erskine College And Seminary earned the #19 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Erskine College And Seminary generally make around $35,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $40,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls placed #22 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,847. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Great Falls generally make around $104,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #23 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,628. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Clear Creek Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Pineville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,720. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,623.
Virginia Union University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $17,830. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Virginia Union University generally make around $25,910. Set against $30,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Union University admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theology & religious vocations this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 184 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
