Theology & Religious Vocations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 607 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theology & religious vocations students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Theology & Religious Vocations School
The theology & religious vocations program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theology & religious vocations. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 54 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Santa Clara University earn around $79,380 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Santa Clara University
Villanova University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theology & religious vocations, ranking #2. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 45 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Villanova University
Students looking for a strong theology & religious vocations program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 38 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $71,681 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
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Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theology & religious vocations, ranking #4. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 176 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Duke University earn around $70,809 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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Creighton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 33 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree.
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Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #6 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates 72% of students within six years. About 26 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree.
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Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earned the #7 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates 90% of students within six years. About 30 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn around $78,469 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
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Loyola Marymount University placed #8 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 22 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
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Yale University placed #9 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 88 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $45,451. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Seton Hall University placed #10 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $63,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,422.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Seton Hall University
Emory University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 143 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $74,348. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Emory University
University Of Mary came in at #12 for theology & religious vocations this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from University Of Mary
Southern Methodist University came in at #13 for theology & religious vocations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 78 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
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Wesley Theological Seminary placed #14 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Wesley Theological Seminary awarded about 113 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Wesley Theological Seminary generally make around $53,160.
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Sewanee The University Of The South placed #15 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 27 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Typical student debt for the program is $22,091.
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Vanderbilt University placed #16 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 62 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
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Wheaton College Illinois ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 149 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $54,928 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,074.
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Calvin College came in at #18 for theology & religious vocations this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. About 56 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $44,220 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete this degree.
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Saint Johns University placed #19 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete this degree.
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Boston University placed #20 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Boston University awarded about 114 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Boston University
Taylor University landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 24 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Taylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Taylor University earn around $37,035 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,832.
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Abilene Christian University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 83 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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California Baptist University earned the #23 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $51,999 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree.
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Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion landed the #24 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion awarded about 50 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn a median of $114,729 early in their careers.
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Catholic University Of America earned the #25 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Catholic University Of America awarded about 102 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $57,953. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theology & religious vocations education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 607 schools evaluated.
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).
