2026 Best Value Theology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for theology students.
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2026 Best Value Theology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology Schools
Lancaster Bible College earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Theology graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Set against $28,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Mount St Marys University one of the best values for theology. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,539. Theology graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $50,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Drew University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,449 in student loans. Theology graduates of Drew University earn a median of $49,241 early in their careers. 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 Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,300.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern University one of the best values for theology. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $28,584. Early-career theology graduates make about $47,185. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,422. Early-career theology graduates make about $63,871. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Valley Forge Christian College ranked #7 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. Theology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $25,051. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley Forge Christian College admits about 61% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America came in at #8 for value in theology this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook came in at #9 for value in theology this year. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ambler. In-state tuition and fees average $25,774. Median earnings reach $55,225 ten years out. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook admits about 100% of applicants.
Villanova University came in at #10 for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $72,601. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
