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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Southeast Region

19 Colleges in the United States
7,895 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$43,879 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theology & Religious Vocations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theology & religious vocations programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 157 schools to find the best for theology & religious vocations students.

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Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theology & religious vocations education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Theology & Religious Vocations

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for theology & religious vocations. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $70,809. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Duke University

2
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #2 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. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 143 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Emory University earn around $74,348 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Emory University

3

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. 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. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Sewanee The University Of The South earn around $36,927 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,091. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Sewanee The University Of The South

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is 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. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $42,583 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Vanderbilt University

5
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Lipscomb University

6

Harding University came in at #6 for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 34 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $48,073 in their early career. Harding University graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Harding University

7

Freed Hardeman University landed the #7 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $44,142. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Freed Hardeman University

8

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #8 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Louisville. About 35% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 823 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $74,388 early in their careers. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

9

University Of The Cumberlands landed the #9 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Typical student debt for the program is $23,371. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for University Of The Cumberlands

10
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College landed the #10 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Milligan. Milligan College graduates 63% of students within six years. Milligan College awarded about 28 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Milligan College earn around $64,327 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Milligan College

11
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University earned the #11 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Samford University awarded about 65 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $37,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Samford University

12

Anderson University Sc placed #12 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 26 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Anderson University Sc in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of $49,036 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete this degree. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Anderson University Sc

13

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #13 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 439 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

14

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 402 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $54,863 in their early career. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

15

Southern Adventist University came in at #15 for theology & religious vocations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Collegedale. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 29 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Southern Adventist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Southern Adventist University earn around $61,366 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Adventist University graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Southern Adventist University

16

Columbia International University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Columbia International University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 176 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Columbia International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Columbia International University earn around $23,737 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Columbia International University

17

Erskine College And Seminary came in at #17 for theology & religious vocations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Due West. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Erskine College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Erskine College And Seminary earn a median of $35,695 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Erskine College And Seminary

18

Loyola University New Orleans landed the #18 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 34 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Loyola University New Orleans

19
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University came in at #19 for theology & religious vocations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Knoxville. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 81 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Johnson University in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $36,515 early in their careers. Johnson University graduates carry a median of $25,126 in student loans. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Johnson University

20
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #20 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wake Forest University awarded about 28 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $40,732. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Wake Forest University

21

Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #21 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $49,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete this degree. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Lenoir Rhyne University

22

Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #22 for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Trevecca Nazarene University awarded about 52 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $41,235 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $33,727 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Trevecca Nazarene University

23

Southeastern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. Southeastern University awarded about 498 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $33,169 early in their careers. Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $23,330 in student loans. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Southeastern University

24
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lee University awarded about 151 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $37,392. Students borrow a median of $28,736 to complete this degree. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Lee University

25
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #25 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 2,468 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $51,137 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $24,221 in student loans. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Liberty University

Rest of the Top 50 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

These schools also placed among the best for theology & religious vocations this year:

26
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL
27
28
Amridge University crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
29
30
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
31
32
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
33
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
34
35
Brewton Parker College crest
Brewton Parker College
Mount Vernon, GA
36
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
37
38
39
40
41
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
42
43
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
44
45
46
47
48
Grace College Of Divinity crest
Grace College Of Divinity
Fayetteville, NC
49
50
Bethel College crest
Bethel College
Gainesville, VA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 157 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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