2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Associate’s Degree Schools
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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:
2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
For return on investment in theology & religious vocations, no school beat Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,585 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $37,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozark Christian College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $29,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Elim Bible Institute And College one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $11,998. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Elim Bible Institute And College generally make around $18,339. The acceptance rate is 100%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,088. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,558.
Central Christian College Of The Bible ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Central Christian College Of The Bible is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Moberly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,200. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,675 ten years after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Vision University came in at #7 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600. Median earnings reach $21,123 ten years out.
Grace Bible College earned the #8 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,190. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $33,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College earned the #9 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. 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. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $34,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,541 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College landed the #10 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the rural area of Wendell, Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,739 in tuition and fees.
College Of Biblical Studies Houston came in at #11 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Houston, College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,275. Students borrow a median of $22,673 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. 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.
Carolina College Of Biblical Studies ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Carolina College Of Biblical Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,906. Students borrow a median of $25,305 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,581 ten years after entry. Set against $25,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Calvin College placed #13 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Set against $22,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,550. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #15 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $13,064. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $44,190. Set against $13,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #16 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,054 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Bethany Global University placed #17 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Bethany Global University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,000. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $13,276. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Bethany Global University generally make around $19,456. Bethany Global University admits about 93% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University came in at #18 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Students borrow a median of $40,475 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. Set against $40,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,652. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valor Christian College earned the #20 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Valor Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canal Winchester. 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 $29,542 early in their careers.
Southeastern University landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Students borrow a median of $21,665 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $29,705. Set against $21,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Other Theology & Religious Vocations Degree Levels
Explore the best-value theology & religious vocations schools at other degree levels:
View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
