by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
The theology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Theology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theology Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for theology in the United States. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. Sacred Heart Major Seminary admits about 100% of applicants.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $40,838. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Luther Rice University And Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,320. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $36,730. Theology graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $58,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. Luther Rice University And Seminary admits about 92% of applicants.
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,490. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,724 ten years after entry. Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology admits about 80% of applicants.
North Park University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,360. Theology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University placed #7 among the best values for theology. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Vanderbilt University placed #8 among the best values for theology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #9 spot for theology value this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $21,211. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,188. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The Baptist College Of Florida earned the #10 position for value in theology this year. Located in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,000 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,916 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Chicago earned the #11 position for value in theology this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #12 among the best values for theology. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Theology graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Campbellsville University came in at #13 for value in theology this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Theology graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $54,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #14 spot for theology value this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
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Saint Leo University landed the #15 spot for theology value this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $32,116. Early-career theology graduates make about $57,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #16 for value in theology this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $57,895. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Harding University placed #17 among the best values for theology. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University placed #18 among the best values for theology. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $49,840. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University earned the #20 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Milligan College landed the #21 spot for theology value this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
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Lee University came in at #22 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Lee University earn a median of $42,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $28,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #25 for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $50,178. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology value ranking:
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Theology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 339 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
