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Elyon College earned the #1 spot for value among religious studies schools in the United States. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 780 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Elyon College earned the #1 spot for value among religious studies schools in the United States. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
A rank of #2 makes Yeshiva Derech Chaim one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,700. Yeshiva Derech Chaim admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Seminary Bnos Chaim one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Lakewood, Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,150. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $29,430. Seminary Bnos Chaim admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute, which ranked #4. Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $13,600 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,192 ten years after entry. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland generally make around $29,861. The acceptance rate is 37%.
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Ohio Christian University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,190. Students borrow a median of $25,042 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of Ohio Christian University earn a median of $31,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $9,428. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz admits about 87% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $36,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Yeshiva University came in at #9 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshiva University earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yeshiva University admits about 56% of applicants.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
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 · 780 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.