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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Theology Schools in the Southeast Region

9 Colleges in the United States
1,985 Theology Degrees Awarded
$47,514 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 76 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Theology in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theology education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Theology

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in theology. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 131 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Duke University earn around $70,809 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theology from Duke University

2
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

A rank of #2 makes Emory University one of the top schools for theology. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 31 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $74,348 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431. See the full theology program report for Emory University

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 12 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $42,583 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full theology program report for Vanderbilt University

4
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 72% of students finish within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 14 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Read more about the theology program at Lipscomb University

5

Students looking for a strong theology program will find one at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 175 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. More information about a degree in theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

6

Columbia International University landed the #6 spot for theology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 theology degrees were awarded at Columbia International University in the most recent year. Theology graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete this degree. Get the full theology details for Columbia International University

7

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #7 position for theology this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 47 theology degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Read more about the theology program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

8

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #8 for theology this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 17% of students within six years. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 60 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn around $54,863 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the theology program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

9

Southern Adventist University placed #9 among the best theology schools. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 15 theology degrees were awarded at Southern Adventist University in the most recent year. Theology graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498. See the full theology program report for Southern Adventist University

10

Erskine College And Seminary landed the #10 spot for theology this year. Set in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Erskine College And Seminary graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 theology students who graduated with this degree at Erskine College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Erskine College And Seminary earn around $35,695 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full theology program report for Erskine College And Seminary

11

Southeastern University landed the #11 spot for theology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakeland. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 12 theology degrees were awarded at Southeastern University in the most recent year. Theology graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $33,030 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,609. More information about a degree in theology from Southeastern University

12
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University came in at #12 for theology this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 theology students who graduated with this degree at Campbellsville University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $54,029 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete this degree. Get the full theology details for Campbellsville University

13
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Lee University awarded about 14 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $42,658 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,422. More information about a degree in theology from Lee University

14
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University earned the #14 position for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Ave Maria. Ave Maria University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 theology students who graduated with this degree at Ave Maria University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Ave Maria University earn around $26,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theology from Ave Maria University

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #15 spot for theology this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,182 theology students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $53,626 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414. Read more about the theology program at Liberty University

16
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University landed the #16 spot for theology this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 theology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Leo University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $57,662. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete this degree. See the full theology program report for Saint Leo University

17

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Located in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach awarded about 24 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $28,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. Read more about the theology program at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

18
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #18 for theology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Regent University awarded about 80 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $49,840 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology program at Regent University

19

The Baptist College Of Florida came in at #19 for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Graceville. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. The Baptist College Of Florida awarded about 20 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from The Baptist College Of Florida earn around $34,350 in the first couple years of their career. The Baptist College Of Florida graduates carry a median of $24,916 in student loans. Read more about the theology program at The Baptist College Of Florida

20

Virginia Union University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Virginia Union University awarded about 12 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $25,910 early in their careers. Virginia Union University graduates carry a median of $30,593 in student loans. Read more about the theology program at Virginia Union University

21

Asbury Theological Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best theology schools. Asbury Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. There were roughly 38 theology students who graduated with this degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $48,572 in their early career. Get the full theology details for Asbury Theological Seminary

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 76 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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