2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Far Western Region
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology & religious vocations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Leading the list is Fresno Pacific University, our #1 best value for theology & religious vocations in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,596. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations 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. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Azusa Pacific University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Students borrow a median of $24,454 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $58,302. Set against $24,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Life Pacific College earned it the #4 place for theology & religious vocations. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,141 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $37,753. Set against $24,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,460. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $29,299. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Seattle Pacific University placed #6 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,188. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $44,499. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Corban University placed #7 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,963. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,318. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Corban University earn a median of $41,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,318 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $28,169. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $51,999. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #9 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. 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. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $17,813 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt.
World Mission University placed #10 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies landed the #11 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,652 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,696 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,139. That is a strong return on a $22,696 median debt.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $58,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hope International University placed #13 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $38,125. Students borrow a median of $18,054 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,661. That is a strong return on a $18,054 median debt. Hope International University admits about 33% of applicants.
Biola University came in at #14 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $26,227 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
George Fox University came in at #15 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,324. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $65,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #16 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,774. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Santa Clara University came in at #18 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $20,144. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Narrow Theology & Religious Vocations Schools by State
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
