[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religious studies students.
Finding the Best Value Religious Studies School for You
The right religious studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Religious Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Religious Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Florida State University tops our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools in the United States. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for religious studies. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,620. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Chico one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Elyon College one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,620.
American Public University System came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #7 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in religious studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,873 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Wesleyan University earned the #10 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Students borrow a median of $22,012 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $28,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary landed the #11 spot for religious studies value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $26,983. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #12 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $22,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gardner Webb University placed #14 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston landed the #15 spot for religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $24,733. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot for religious studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Elim Bible Institute And College placed #17 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $11,998. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $18,339. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $18,267. Religious Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $25,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed earned the #20 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,100. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Spring Hill College landed the #21 spot for religious studies value this year. Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #22 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University placed #23 among the best values for religious studies. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $30,204. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $51,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland came in at #24 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland earn a median of $29,861 early in their careers. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University came in at #25 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $29,500. Religious Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in religious studies:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 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).
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
