by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong religious education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 130 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value religious education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in religious education in the United States. 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. Religious Education graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religious education will find it at North Park University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for religious education graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religious education will find it at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #3. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
A rank of #4 makes The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for religious education. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Azusa Pacific University earned it the #5 place for religious education. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Grand Canyon University earned the #6 position for value in religious education this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $35,436 in student loans. Religious Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #7 position for value in religious education this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Typical student debt for religious education graduates is $26,980. Early-career religious education graduates make about $35,803. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #8 spot for religious education value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the religious education program here. Religious Education graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #9 position for value in religious education this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the religious education program here. Religious Education graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Union Presbyterian Seminary came in at #10 for value in religious education this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Union Presbyterian Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Union Presbyterian Seminary generally make around $45,579.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America placed #11 among the best values for religious education. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,910. Typical student debt for religious education graduates is $16,750. Early-career religious education graduates make about $78,469. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America admits about 49% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value religious education schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the religious education program here. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Wesley Theological Seminary landed the #13 spot for religious education value this year. Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career religious education graduates make about $53,160.
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value religious education schools. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Religious Education graduates of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn a median of $90,050 early in their careers.
Explore the best-value religious education schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.