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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Master’s Degree Schools

43 Colleges in the United States
$25,453 Avg Student Debt
$56,777 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Master's Degree Badge [Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) 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 607 schools to find the best return on investment for theology & religious vocations students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology & religious vocations degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

1

For return on investment in theology & religious vocations, no school beat Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.

2

Fresno Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,596. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at University Of The Cumberlands, which ranked #3. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,371. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Luther Rice University And Seminary one of the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $50,980 early in their careers. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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6
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $37,385. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

7

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,490 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $51,724 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 80%.

8
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary came in at #8 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $26,585 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $40,996. Set against $26,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

North Park University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.

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11
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University placed #11 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,314. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $63,488 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #12 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

13

Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #13 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,460 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $43,966. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

14

University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #14 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $34,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

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16

Ozark Christian College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Ozark Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,000. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Ozark Christian College generally make around $23,164. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ozark Christian College admits about 94% of applicants.

17

Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #17 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.

18
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University came in at #18 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,148. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $54,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

19

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,478 early in their careers. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

20

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #20 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.

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21

Freed Hardeman University landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $44,142. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

22
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University landed the #22 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $32,116 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $57,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

23

Harding University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

24
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $38,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.

25
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC

Shaw University earned the #25 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,738. Students borrow a median of $37,044 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $28,533. That is a strong return on a $37,044 median debt. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology & religious vocations value ranking:

26
27
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
28
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
29
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
37
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI
38
39
40
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
41
42
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
43
44
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA
45
46
Brewton Parker College crest
Brewton Parker College
Mount Vernon, GA
47
48
49
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
50

Other Theology & Religious Vocations Degree Levels

Explore the best-value theology & religious vocations schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Theology & Religious Vocations
Associate's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
Bachelor's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
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View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 607 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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