by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value religious education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka, our #1 best value for religious education in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,500. Early-career religious education graduates make about $14,771.
A rank of #2 makes Jewish Theological Seminary Of America one of the best values for religious education. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religious education graduates is $16,750. Religious Education graduates of Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn a median of $78,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Fordham University one of the best values for religious education. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the religious education program here. Religious Education graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.