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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Religious Studies (Income $0-$30k)

25 Ranked Colleges
233 Degrees Awarded
$35,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 9,704 people earned their degree in religious studies, making the major the 115th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, religious studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,163 and had an average of $28,712 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 233 religious studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in religious studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality religious studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the religious studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Religious Studies (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s religion students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Religious Studies at University of Pennsylvania

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 3 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140.

Read more about Religious Studies at Duke University

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 2 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Religious Studies at Northwestern

#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s religion students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt University Religious Studies Report

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Religious Studies at University of Florida

#6

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #6, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s religion degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #1 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Full Emory University Religious Studies Report

#7

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #19 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Religious Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

Columbia also made our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

#9

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#21 in overall quality

Florida State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s religion students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida State University Religious Studies Report

#10

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s religion students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Religious Studies at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#11

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read full report on Religious Studies at University of California - Los Angeles

#12

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 3 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #18 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Religious Studies at IU Bloomington

#14 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 5 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also took the #14 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Religious Studies Report

#14

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#24 in overall quality

University of Georgia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s religion students in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #24 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Religious Studies at UGA

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s religion degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Religious Studies at University of California - Riverside

#16

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston U has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Religious Studies at Boston U

#11 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Religious Studies at UT Austin

#18

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Religious Studies Report

#19

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Iowa Religious Studies Report

#23 in overall quality

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also took the #23 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt are $40,836, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Religious Studies at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#21

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Marquette is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, Marquette has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette University are $21,690.

Full Marquette Religious Studies Report

#22

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#22 in overall quality

Temple University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236.

Full Temple University Religious Studies Report

#23

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #23, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936.

Full Baylor University Religious Studies Report

#8 in overall quality

Jewish Theological Seminary of America landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Jewish Theological Seminary of America is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 2 doctorate’s religion degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree religion students whose families make $0-$30k list, Jewish Theological Seminary of America has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Jewish Theological Seminary of America are $34,472.

Read more about Religious Studies at Jewish Theological Seminary of America

#25

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#25 in overall quality

Liberty University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religion Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s religion degrees to qualified students.

Liberty University also made our “Best Religious Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Religious Studies at Liberty University

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Sowlos.

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