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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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.
For return on investment in theology, no school beat Evangel University this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $57,895. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for theology. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $15,559. Early-career theology graduates make about $73,186. Set against $15,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.