Religious Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 130 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for religious education students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Religious Education School
Where you study religious education matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Religious Education Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Religious Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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Best Schools for Religious Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the religious education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in religious education. Located in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America awarded about 15 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $78,469 in their early career. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Wesley Theological Seminary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 10 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Wesley Theological Seminary earn a median of $53,160 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in religious education from Wesley Theological Seminary
Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $37,880 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full religious education program report for Wheaton College Illinois
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit institution. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion awarded about 22 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion generally make around $90,050.
Read more about the religious education program at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion
North Park University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious education, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. North Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 religious education students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from North Park University earn around $51,611 in the first couple years of their career. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
Get the full religious education details for North Park University
Dallas Baptist University landed the #6 spot for religious education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 22 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $32,426. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the religious education program at Dallas Baptist University
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 38 religious education students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Students borrow a median of $23,371 to complete this degree.
Read more about the religious education program at University Of The Cumberlands
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #8 among the best religious education schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans.
See the full religious education program report for Mount Vernon Nazarene University
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #9 for religious education this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 religious education students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $74,388 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full religious education program report for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 41 religious education degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in religious education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #11 for religious education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. There were roughly 24 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers.
Get the full religious education details for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 64% of students within six years. About 21 religious education degrees were awarded at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete this degree.
Get the full religious education details for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Moody Bible Institute ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. Moody Bible Institute awarded about 26 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $30,671 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
More information about a degree in religious education from Moody Bible Institute
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #14 among the best religious education schools. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $35,803 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,980.
Read more about the religious education program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Crown College earned the #15 position for religious education this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Crown College graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Crown College in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Crown College earn a median of $33,368 early in their careers. Crown College graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans.
Get the full religious education details for Crown College
Concordia University Seward earned the #16 position for religious education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Seward. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Seward in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $55,023. Concordia University Seward graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Concordia University Seward
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Deerfield. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 religious education degrees were awarded at Trinity International University Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $31,903 in their early career. Trinity International University Illinois graduates carry a median of $32,934 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Trinity International University Illinois
Azusa Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full religious education details for Azusa Pacific University
Liberty University landed the #19 spot for religious education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 99 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $45,877 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
Get the full religious education details for Liberty University
Grand Canyon University came in at #20 for religious education this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Grand Canyon University awarded about 369 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $40,439. Students borrow a median of $35,436 to complete this degree.
See the full religious education program report for Grand Canyon University
Union Presbyterian Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Union Presbyterian Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. Union Presbyterian Seminary awarded about 19 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $45,579 in their early career.
Get the full religious education details for Union Presbyterian Seminary
Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka is a small private not-for-profit university. Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka generally make around $14,771.
Read more about the religious education program at Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka
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 · 130 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).
