2026 Best Value Biblical Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biblical Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/biblical-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for biblical studies students.
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2026 Best Value Biblical Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biblical studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biblical Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global the best value for a degree in biblical studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $38,685. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $46,674. Set against $38,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in biblical studies will find it at Grace College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the biblical studies program here. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $42,188. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Rosedale Bible College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Set in the rural area of Irwin, Rosedale Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $10,088 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,558 ten years after entry.
Grace Bible College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Located in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,190. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biblical studies degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $30,263. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biblical studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $26,892. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $42,001. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Virginia Baptist College earned the #6 position for value in biblical studies this year. Located in the town of Lawrenceburg, Virginia Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,712. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University came in at #7 for value in biblical studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the biblical studies program here. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,550 in tuition and fees. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $56,298. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #9 spot for biblical studies value this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Students borrow a median of $13,097 to complete the biblical studies program here. Biblical Studies graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University came in at #10 for value in biblical studies this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $41,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biblical studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for biblical studies graduates is $23,147. Early-career biblical studies graduates make about $29,986. Set against $23,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
