2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Master’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
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
For return on investment in theology & religious vocations, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,596. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at University Of The Cumberlands, which ranked #3. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $50,980 early in their careers. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. 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 $37,385. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,490 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $51,724 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Mary came in at #8 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $40,996. Set against $26,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Park University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Andrews University placed #11 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,314. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $63,488 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #12 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. 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.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #13 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,460 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $43,966. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #14 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $34,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Ozark Christian College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,000. 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 $23,164. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #17 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Campbellsville University came in at #18 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,148. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $54,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,478 early in their careers. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #20 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Saint Leo University landed the #22 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $32,116 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $57,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Harding University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Evangel University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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 $38,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Shaw University earned the #25 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,738. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $28,533. That is a strong return on a $37,044 median debt. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology & religious vocations value ranking:
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
The ranking above is published 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 43 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.
