2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in religious studies, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Madison this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,813. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio Christian University one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,190 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $31,021 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $31,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned it the #3 place for religious studies. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $25,029. Religious Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Set against $25,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in religious studies will find it at Hope College, which ranked #4. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Hope College earn a median of $25,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #5 makes Hebrew Theological College one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,150. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,291 ten years after entry. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
