by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology & religious vocations education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 607 schools to find the best return on investment for theology & religious vocations students.
What’s on this page:
The theology & religious vocations program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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 theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in theology & religious vocations in the United States. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. 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. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Fresno Pacific University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. 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. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sacred Heart Major Seminary earned it the #4 place for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. Sacred Heart Major Seminary admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Luther Rice University And Seminary, which ranked #5. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. In-state tuition and fees average $11,320. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $36,730. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Luther Rice University And Seminary generally make around $50,657. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Emmaus Bible College landed the #6 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Emmaus Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,800. Median earnings reach $42,631 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Harvard University placed #7 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Somerset Christian College placed #8 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,991 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Somerset Christian College earn a median of $39,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,991 median debt.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $33,727. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,235. That is a strong return on a $33,727 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,490. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,724. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #11 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,000. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,916. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from The Baptist College Of Florida generally make around $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. 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. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $27,360. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #14 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,585. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $39,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Andrews University came in at #15 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $64,190. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College placed #17 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the rural area of Pineville, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,720. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,623 ten years after entry.
Ozark Christian College landed the #18 spot for theology & religious vocations value 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. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,500. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Ozark Christian College earn a median of $25,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,460 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $34,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #20 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,270. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $21,543 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Chicago ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. 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%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #23 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Evangel University College Of Online Learning came in at #24 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University College Of Online Learning is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,175. Median earnings reach $46,573 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Davis College placed #25 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Davis College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Pottersville. In-state tuition and fees average $18,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Davis College generally make around $25,743. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology & religious vocations value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Theology & Religious Vocations. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 607 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
