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Elyon College tops our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools in New York. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,620.
by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong religious studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools to find the best return on investment 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 tops our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools in New York. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $23,258. Religious Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #3 makes Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary one of the best values for religious studies. Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ossining. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,442 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Yeshivath Viznitz one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,000 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivath Viznitz earn a median of $13,078 early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov one of the best values for religious studies. 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. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov generally make around $17,618. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel landed the #6 spot for religious studies value this year. Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $15,500. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel generally make around $22,543.
Yeshiva Karlin Stolin landed the #7 spot for religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Karlin Stolin is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,000 in tuition and fees.
Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah placed #8 among the best values for religious studies. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary came in at #9 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,300. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary generally make around $11,674.
Elim Bible Institute And College placed #10 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,678. Students borrow a median of $11,998 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $18,339. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College placed #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,200. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary placed #12 among the best values for religious studies. 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 came in at #13 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Chester, Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,785 ten years after entry.
United Talmudical Seminary came in at #14 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, United Talmudical Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,000. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $17,779.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim earned the #15 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,700 in tuition and fees. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah placed #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,230 ten years after entry. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College came in at #17 for value in religious studies this year. Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Touro College placed #18 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,052 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Touro College earn a median of $60,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute earned the #19 position for value in religious studies 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. Median earnings reach $41,192 ten years out. Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute admits about 89% of applicants.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland came in at #20 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland generally make around $29,861. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland admits about 37% of applicants.
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion placed #21 among the best values for religious studies. Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $10,000 in tuition and fees. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $10,153.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earned the #22 position for value in religious studies this year. 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 studies graduates is $16,750. Religious Studies 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. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America admits about 49% of applicants.
Yeshiva Of Machzikai Hadas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Yeshiva Of Machzikai Hadas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,800. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $27,503. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz generally make around $9,428. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva University earned the #25 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,800. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $20,625. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $52,838. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yeshiva University admits about 56% of applicants.
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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.