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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among theology & religious vocations schools in the United States. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 68% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #3 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. Students borrow a median of $26,585 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $39,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elim Bible Institute And College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,678. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Elim Bible Institute And College earn a median of $18,339 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rosedale Bible College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Irwin, Rosedale Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,088. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,558.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,755. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $34,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Baptist Bible College landed the #7 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,950. Median earnings reach $38,641 ten years out.
College Of Biblical Studies Houston placed #8 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Houston, College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,275. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $22,673. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of College Of Biblical Studies Houston earn a median of $47,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,673 median debt.
Calvin College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Grace Bible College came in at #10 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,060 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $33,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace Bible College admits about 99% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #11 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,054 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lancaster Bible College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,541 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $35,158. That is a strong return on a $22,541 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Carolina College Of Biblical Studies landed the #13 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Carolina College Of Biblical Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,906. Students borrow a median of $25,305 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $24,581. That is a strong return on a $25,305 median debt.
North Central University placed #14 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,220. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $27,411. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
Columbia International University earned the #15 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $23,737. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University earned the #16 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $40,475 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $21,665 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $30,193 early in their careers. Set against $21,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Valor Christian College placed #18 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Canal Winchester, Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,612 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Valor Christian College earn a median of $29,550 early in their careers.
Explore the best-value theology & religious vocations schools at other degree levels:
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
