2026 Best Value Theology Schools in California
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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2026 Best Value Theology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theology Schools
Vanguard University Of Southern California tops our 2026 list of the best value theology schools in California. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Azusa Pacific University one of the best values for theology. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,709. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for theology. Set in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,460. Theology graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $26,407. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 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. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $22,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Life Pacific College generally make around $39,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at World Mission University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #6 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. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,085. Theology graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Biola University landed the #7 spot for theology value this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The Masters College And Seminary landed the #8 spot for theology value this year. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,774. Theology graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $55,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,774 median debt. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University placed #9 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,248. Theology graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Santa Clara University landed the #10 spot for theology value this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
