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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Religious Education Master’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
344 Religious Education Degrees Awarded
$56,222 Avg Early-Career Salary

Religious Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 130 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best religious education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Religious Education in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in religious education, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Religious Education

1

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America tops our 2026 ranking of the best religious education schools. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn a median of $78,469 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. Read more about the religious education program at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

2

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious education, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 29 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,867. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full religious education details for Wheaton College Illinois

3

Wesley Theological Seminary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious education, landing the #3 spot this year. Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 10 religious education degrees were awarded at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Wesley Theological Seminary generally make around $53,160. Get the full religious education details for Wesley Theological Seminary

4

Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious education, ranking #4. Located in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 16 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion 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. More information about a degree in religious education from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion

5

A rank of #5 makes North Park University one of the top schools for religious education. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. North Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 24 religious education degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. See the full religious education program report for North Park University

6

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #6 spot 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. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 17 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. See the full religious education program report for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

7

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #7 spot for religious education 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 31 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full religious education details for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

8

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 17% of students within six years. About 12 religious education degrees were awarded at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Read more about the religious education program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

9

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #9 position for religious education this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in religious education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

10

Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best religious education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. Franciscan University Of Steubenville awarded about 29 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $35,803 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete this degree. See the full religious education program report for Franciscan University Of Steubenville

11

Azusa Pacific University placed #11 among the best religious education schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $58,302 in their early career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full religious education program report for Azusa Pacific University

12
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #12 among the best religious education schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 religious education degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. See the full religious education program report for Liberty University

13

Grand Canyon University earned the #13 position for religious education this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. About 44% of students finish within six years. Grand Canyon University awarded about 87 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $43,605 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $35,436 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in religious education from Grand Canyon University

14

Union Presbyterian Seminary placed #14 among the best religious education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Richmond. There were roughly 18 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Union Presbyterian Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Union Presbyterian Seminary generally make around $45,579. More information about a degree in religious education from Union Presbyterian Seminary

Other Religious Education Degree Levels

Explore the best religious education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Religious Education
Associate's Degrees in Religious Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Religious Education
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View All Religious Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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