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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in theology, no school beat Sacred Heart Major Seminary this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,140. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at North Park University, which ranked #2. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $68,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for theology. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for theology. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $45,985. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
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Trinity International University Illinois landed the #6 spot for theology value this year. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,178. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Ashland University landed the #7 spot for theology value this year. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $52,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #8 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,401 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $41,376. Set against $27,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $28,269. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. Set against $28,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #10 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. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $37,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Moody Bible Institute landed the #11 spot for theology value 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. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $14,000. Theology graduates of Moody Bible Institute earn a median of $47,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Earlham College placed #12 among the best values for theology. Set in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,125. Early-career theology graduates make about $43,038. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Theology graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #14 among the best values for theology. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Theology graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $56,069 early in their careers. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #15 among the best values for theology. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $44,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.