2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in Texas
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology & religious vocations education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for theology & religious vocations students.
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2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #1 spot for value among theology & religious vocations schools in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #2 spot this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,794. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $35,787. That is a strong return on a $26,794 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,601. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,275. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $22,673. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of College Of Biblical Studies Houston earn a median of $47,781 early in their careers. Set against $22,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,411. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $58,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,540. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $28,337 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $38,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University came in at #7 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Kings University placed #8 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,480. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $48,998 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,066. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $20,244 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $40,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $44,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
