2026 Best Value Theology Schools in Tennessee
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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2026 Best Value Theology Schools in Tennessee
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
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 list of the best value theology schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Freed Hardeman University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,479. Theology graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Lee University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,422. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $42,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Milligan College one of the best values for theology. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,150. Theology graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Southern Adventist University, which ranked #5. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,498. Theology graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theology schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Theology graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #7 position for value in theology this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,091. Theology graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.
