2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 607 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology & religious vocations students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology & religious vocations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #2 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $23,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Luther Rice University And Seminary came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,715. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Emmaus Bible College earned it the #4 place for theology & religious vocations. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,631. Emmaus Bible College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Somerset Christian College one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,900. Students borrow a median of $24,991 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $39,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #6 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $33,727 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,235. That is a strong return on a $33,727 median debt. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
The Baptist College Of Florida landed the #7 spot for theology & religious vocations value 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 acceptance rate is 36%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #8 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,585. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $38,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Pineville, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,720. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,623.
Ozark Christian College landed the #10 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,000 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $25,191. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,460. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $25,060. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earned the #12 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $20,270. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $21,543. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #13 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $55,067 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #14 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $44,142. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Evangel University College Of Online Learning landed the #15 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University College Of Online Learning is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,175 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,573 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Davis College landed the #16 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the rural area of Pottersville, Davis College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,000. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Davis College generally make around $25,743. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University placed #17 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $18,114. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Harding University earn a median of $48,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Martin Luther College earned the #18 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,949 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $15,327. That is a strong return on a $18,949 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #19 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,319. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $34,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University came in at #20 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,126 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $32,827. Set against $25,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #21 on our 2026 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 $26,833. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $35,789. That is a strong return on a $26,833 median debt. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mid America Christian University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $41,422 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $27,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University earned the #23 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $54,029. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University came in at #24 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $35,397. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Regent University earn a median of $47,074 early in their careers. Set against $35,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lee University landed the #25 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,736 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $36,304. That is a strong return on a $28,736 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theology & religious vocations:
Other Theology & Religious Vocations Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theology & Religious Vocations rankings across degree levels:
View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 607 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
