2027 Best Value Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Central Florida, our #1 best value for religious studies in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at California State University Chico, which ranked #2. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. 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. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #3 place for religious studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for religious studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $15,873. 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. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Southern Wesleyan University earned the #6 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. Religious Studies graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,636 early in their careers. Set against $22,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Gardner Webb University placed #7 among the best values for religious studies. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, 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 earned the #9 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed landed the #10 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,100. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #11 for value in religious studies this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $80,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University landed the #12 spot for religious studies value this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $30,204. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $51,930. That is a strong return on a $30,204 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland earned the #13 position for value in religious studies this year. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Suffern. 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. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland admits about 37% of applicants.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim earned the #14 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,526 ten years after entry. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University came in at #15 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $27,569. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $46,288. Set against $27,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshivath Viznitz came in at #16 for value in religious studies this year. Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monsey. In-state tuition and fees average $12,000. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivath Viznitz earn a median of $13,078 early in their careers.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Monroe, Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,500. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $22,543.
Saint Leo University placed #18 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,471 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $49,458. Set against $39,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earned the #19 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,200. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $15,903. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College came in at #20 for value in religious studies this year. Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $10,360 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $21,256 ten years out. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary placed #21 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,300. Religious Studies graduates of Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary earn a median of $11,674 early in their careers.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pikesville, Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,600. Median earnings reach $66,330 ten years out. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Christian University earned the #23 position for value in religious studies this year. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. In-state tuition and fees average $19,190. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $37,000 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $31,410. That is a strong return on a $37,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim came in at #24 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,700 in tuition and fees. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College landed the #25 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,200. Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College admits about 37% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s religious studies value ranking:
Other Religious Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value religious studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
