by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for theology in the United States. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The Baptist College Of Florida one of the best values for theology. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,000. Students borrow a median of $24,916 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lee University earned it the #3 place for theology. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,460. Students borrow a median of $29,299 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
Bob Jones University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot this year. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Theology graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $28,325. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel earned the #6 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,300.
Ave Maria University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,198. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Theology graduates of Ave Maria University earn a median of $26,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #8 among the best values for theology. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $29,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University landed the #9 spot for theology value this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #10 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Theology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $33,488. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University landed the #11 spot for theology value this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $27,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #12 spot for theology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $32,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #13 among the best values for theology. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the theology program here. Theology 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%.
University Of Dallas placed #14 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,411 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Colorado Christian University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Students borrow a median of $36,092 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #16 spot for theology value this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,926. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,227. Set against $25,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College Of Florida landed the #17 spot for theology value this year. Located in the suburb of Trinity, Trinity College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,300. Median earnings reach $32,465 ten years out. Trinity College Of Florida admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #18 position for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $45,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,350. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,250. Theology graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $32,202 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine came in at #20 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,085. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,590. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
Valley Forge Christian College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,240. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $25,051. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University came in at #22 for value in theology this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,625. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Seton Hall University earned the #23 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,422. Theology graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #24 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Theology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $53,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Southeastern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,218. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $29,809. That is a strong return on a $23,218 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for theology this year:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theology rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.