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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theology Schools

34 Colleges in the United States
4,416 Theology Degrees Awarded
$50,764 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their theology programs.

College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best theology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Theology School

Best Theology Schools

The school you choose for theology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Theology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Theology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Theology
Bachelor's Degrees in Theology
Master's Degrees in Theology
Doctoral Degrees in Theology

We offer several rankings, including this Best Theology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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Best Schools for Theology in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Theology

1
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best theology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 theology degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. Get the full theology details for Santa Clara University

2
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

A rank of #2 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for theology. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 theology students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Get the full theology details for Villanova University

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theology, ranking #3. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 131 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $70,809 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in theology from Duke University

4
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 theology degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Yale University earn around $45,451 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Read more about the theology program at Yale University

5

Loyola Marymount University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 theology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full theology details for Loyola Marymount University

6
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 33 theology students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. See the full theology program report for Seton Hall University

7
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University placed #7 among the best theology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. Emory University awarded about 31 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Emory University earn around $74,348 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431. Get the full theology details for Emory University

8

Southern Methodist University came in at #8 for theology this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 27 theology degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $54,351 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full theology details for Southern Methodist University

9
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #9 for theology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 theology degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $42,583 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in theology from Vanderbilt University

10

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #10 spot for theology this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 theology students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $56,069. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree. See the full theology program report for Wheaton College Illinois

11
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #11 among the best theology schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 theology students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology program at Boston University

12

Moody Bible Institute came in at #12 for theology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 20 theology degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $47,689. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. More information about a degree in theology from Moody Bible Institute

13

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook placed #13 among the best theology schools. Located in the suburb of Ambler, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit university. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 20 theology degrees were awarded at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent year. More information about a degree in theology from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook

14

Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $80,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

15

The Masters College And Seminary landed the #15 spot for theology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 63 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from The Masters College And Seminary generally make around $55,300. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans. More information about a degree in theology from The Masters College And Seminary

16
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #16 spot for theology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $48,949 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in theology from Lipscomb University

17
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #17 spot for theology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 theology students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Harvard University earn around $40,838 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full theology details for Harvard University

18
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College landed the #18 spot for theology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 97 theology students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $49,117 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theology from Boston College

19
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University earned the #19 position for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 13 theology degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Theology graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,646. More information about a degree in theology from Saint Johns University

20

North Park University came in at #20 for theology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. North Park University awarded about 13 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology program at North Park University

21

Concordia University Irvine landed the #21 spot for theology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 theology degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. See the full theology program report for Concordia University Irvine

22

University Of Chicago earned the #22 position for theology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 64 theology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Theology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $45,985 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in theology from University Of Chicago

23

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #23 position for theology this year. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 243 theology students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete this degree. Get the full theology details for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

24

Seattle Pacific University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 15 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $44,499 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. Get the full theology details for Seattle Pacific University

25

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #25 among the best theology schools. Located in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. About 175 theology degrees were awarded at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $74,388 in their early career. See the full theology program report for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Rest of the Top 50 Theology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theology education:

26
27
28
Concordia Seminary crest
Concordia Seminary
Saint Louis, MO
29
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
40
41
42
Drew University crest
Drew University
Madison, NJ
43
44
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
45
46
47
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
48
49
Western Seminary crest
Western Seminary
Portland, OR
50
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA

Additional Theology Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for theology this year:

Rank School Location
#54 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for theology:

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Theology by Region

Explore the best theology schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Theology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 339 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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