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2026 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Central Florida, our #1 best value for religious studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,000. Religious Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for religious studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,873 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $24,621. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $31,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Hebrew Theological College came in at #6 for value in religious studies this year. Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Skokie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,150. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,291. Hebrew Theological College admits about 57% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,111. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Andrews University placed #8 among the best values for religious studies. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $39,471. Religious Studies graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed came in at #10 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,100. Bais Medrash Toras Chesed admits about 58% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University came in at #11 for value in religious studies 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. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $51,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,330. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshivath Viznitz came in at #13 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,000. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivath Viznitz earn a median of $13,078 early in their careers.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim came in at #14 for value in religious studies this year. Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,526 ten years after entry. Yeshiva Toras Chaim admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot for religious studies value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $25,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,850. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $17,813. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. Set against $17,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,300. Religious Studies graduates of Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary earn a median of $11,674 early in their careers.
Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah earned the #23 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,700 in tuition and fees. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov landed the #24 spot for religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov generally make around $17,618. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #25 spot for religious studies value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for religious studies this year:
Other Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
