[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 581 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religion/religious studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Religion/Religious Studies School for You
Where you study religion/religious studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Our analysis ranked University Of Central Florida the best value for a degree in religion/religious studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes American Public University System one of the best values for religion/religious studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $15,873. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. Set against $15,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the best values for religion/religious studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #6 among the best values for religion/religious studies. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $31,123. Set against $24,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $22,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #9 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Andrews University came in at #10 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Saint Leo University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $39,471. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $49,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Elim Bible Institute And College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lima. Students from in state pay about $9,678 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Elim Bible Institute And College earn a median of $18,339 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,267 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $25,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,267 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College earned the #14 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $26,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Cornerstone University earned the #15 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $44,501 early in their careers. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary landed the #16 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,850. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Emory University came in at #17 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $19,431. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $58,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mount St Marys College came in at #18 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $27,555. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #19 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #20 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #21 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $32,873. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $37,753. That is a strong return on a $32,873 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #22 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $27,496. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America placed #23 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Duke University landed the #24 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Baylor University landed the #25 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,612 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $31,672. Set against $25,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for religion/religious studies this year:
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Religion/Religious Studies Related Rankings by Major
Religion/Religious Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
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 · 581 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
