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.
College Factual analyzed 205 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Elyon College the best value for a degree in religious studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,620.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,100. Bais Medrash Toras Chesed admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ner Israel Rabbinical College earned it the #4 place for religious studies. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,330 ten years after entry. Ner Israel Rabbinical College admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yeshiva Toras Chaim earned it the #5 place for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,526 ten years after entry. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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Yeshivath Viznitz ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,000. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $13,078.
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary landed the #7 spot for religious studies value this year. Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ossining. Students from in state pay about $13,200 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,442.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Monroe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,500. Religious Studies graduates of Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel earn a median of $22,543 early in their careers.
Elim Bible Institute And College earned the #9 position for value in religious studies this year. Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $18,339. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $17,618. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary placed #11 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,300 in tuition and fees. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $11,674.
Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah earned the #12 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,700. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Yeshiva Karlin Stolin landed the #13 spot for religious studies value this year. Yeshiva Karlin Stolin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,000.
Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College placed #14 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,200. Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College admits about 37% of applicants.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earned the #15 position for value in religious studies this year. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,200. Religious Studies graduates of Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earn a median of $15,903 early in their careers. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary admits about 80% of applicants.
Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College landed the #16 spot for religious studies value this year. Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,000. Median earnings reach $41,785 ten years out.
Seminary Bnos Chaim came in at #17 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,150. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Seminary Bnos Chaim generally make around $29,430. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $12,700 in tuition and fees. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
United Talmudical Seminary placed #19 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, United Talmudical Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,000 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from United Talmudical Seminary generally make around $17,779.
Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok placed #20 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Elizabeth, Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok earn a median of $61,244 early in their careers. Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok admits about 86% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute landed the #21 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,192 ten years after entry. Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute admits about 89% of applicants.
Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College placed #22 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,500. Religious Studies graduates of Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College earn a median of $18,546 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah placed #23 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,750. Median earnings reach $39,230 ten years out. Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah admits about 77% of applicants.
Touro College earned the #24 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $60,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland landed the #25 spot for religious studies value this year. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland earn a median of $29,861 early in their careers. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland admits about 37% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for religious studies this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 205 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.