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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the best value for a degree in 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. Theology graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. Sacred Heart Major Seminary admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Luther Rice University And Seminary, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Luther Rice University And Seminary earn a median of $58,008 early in their careers. Set against $36,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes North Park University one of the best values for theology. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology placed #6 among the best values for theology. Set in the suburb of Brookline, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,490. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,724. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University came in at #7 for value in theology this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #8 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $21,211. 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. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #10 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Theology graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,557. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #11 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Campbellsville University earned the #13 position for value in theology this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,029. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #14 position for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046. Theology graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $56,478 early in their careers. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for theology value this year. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Saint Leo University landed the #16 spot for theology value this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $32,116. Theology graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $57,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Freed Hardeman University placed #17 among the best values for theology. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Harding University landed the #18 spot for theology value this year. 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. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,715. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Evangel University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $37,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University landed the #20 spot for theology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Regent University came in at #21 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Theology graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $49,840. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Milligan College came in at #22 for value in theology this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,150. Theology graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lee University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,422. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University placed #24 among the best values for theology. 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. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois earned the #25 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Theology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theology:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
