by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 45 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.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the Far Western Region. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $21,111. Early-career theology graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. 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. Theology graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Life Pacific College one of the best values for theology. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,118. Students borrow a median of $22,521 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $39,411 early in their careers. Set against $22,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,460. Theology graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Theology graduates of Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,407 early in their careers. Set against $29,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $44,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
Corban University earned the #6 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,963 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,318 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $41,194. Set against $24,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Corban University admits about 94% of applicants.
World Mission University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary came in at #8 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,850 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #9 position for value in theology this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,308. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
George Fox University landed the #11 spot for theology value this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Theology graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $39,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,324 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $55,300. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Theology graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Santa Clara University placed #14 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.