by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) 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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology & religious vocations students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology & religious vocations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools in North Carolina. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Shaw University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. 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. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $37,044 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $28,533. That is a strong return on a $37,044 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College earned it the #3 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the rural area of Wendell, Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,739.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lenoir Rhyne University earned it the #4 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Heritage Bible College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Dunn, Heritage Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,688. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,672.
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Carolina College Of Biblical Studies landed the #6 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Carolina College Of Biblical Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,906 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $24,653 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,581 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,653 median debt.
Piedmont International University came in at #7 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,575. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $34,991. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $48,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Grace College Of Divinity ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $9,105 in tuition and fees. Grace College Of Divinity admits about 53% of applicants.
Campbell University earned the #9 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $40,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wake Forest University placed #10 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $40,732. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University earned the #11 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Duke University earn a median of $70,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.