by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 112 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology & religious vocations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Sacred Heart Major Seminary, our #1 best value for theology & religious vocations in the Great Lakes Region. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $24,140 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,585 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $39,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Park University earned it the #3 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #4 makes Andrews University one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $64,190. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Students borrow a median of $25,460 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $34,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $15,854. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #7 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,319. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $33,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,319 median debt. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rosedale Bible College came in at #8 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Irwin, Rosedale Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,088. Median earnings reach $35,558 ten years out.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $32,934. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,602. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,602 median debt. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
Grace Bible College earned the #11 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,190. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $30,069. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $41,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Baptist College placed #12 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Virginia Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lawrenceburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,712. Virginia Baptist College admits about 95% of applicants.
Viterbo University landed the #13 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Indiana placed #14 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $27,401. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,376. Set against $27,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Ashland University came in at #15 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $52,813. That is a strong return on a $24,536 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Cornerstone University earned the #16 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $43,009 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $46,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,009 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ohio Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,190. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $30,947. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $45,829. Set against $30,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Students borrow a median of $24,510 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University came in at #19 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Capital University earn a median of $46,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,269 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University landed the #20 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,490. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $37,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #21 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,054 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Calvin College placed #22 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,550. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Earlham College earned the #24 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $43,038. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Earlham College admits about 73% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #25 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Students borrow a median of $13,064 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Set against $13,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
22
23
24
25
These schools also delivered strong value for theology & religious vocations this year:
26
27
28
29
30
31
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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.