by our College Data Analytics Team
[Christian Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/christian-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong christian studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for christian studies students.
What’s on this page:
The christian studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Christian Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Christian Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the christian studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in christian studies, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Andrews University earned it the #2 place for christian studies. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in christian studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $30,204. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $51,930. Set against $30,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornerstone University earned it the #4 place for christian studies. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Christian Studies graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $44,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ohio Christian University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value christian studies schools. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,190. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $31,021. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $31,410. Set against $31,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
1
2
3
4
5
Friends University earned the #6 position for value in christian studies this year. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the christian studies program here. Christian Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $46,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,721 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College landed the #7 spot for christian studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Christian Studies graduates carry a median of $29,537 in student loans. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $56,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #8 position for value in christian studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the christian studies program here. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California Baptist University came in at #9 for value in christian studies this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $24,474. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $29,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc came in at #10 for value in christian studies this year. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete the christian studies program here. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. That is a strong return on a $28,034 median debt. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value christian studies schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $32,873. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $37,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #12 spot for christian studies value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Christian Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, christian studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Santa Clara University placed #13 among the best values for christian studies. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $20,144. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Christian Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.