2027 Best Value Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is Florida State University, our #1 best value for religious studies in the United States. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned it the #2 place for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for religious studies. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $23,258. Religious Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Wayland Baptist University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $51,930. Set against $30,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University placed #6 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $14,357. Religious Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Beth Medrash Govoha came in at #7 for value in religious studies this year. Beth Medrash Govoha is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $25,780 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Beth Medrash Govoha generally make around $29,393.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College landed the #8 spot for religious studies value this year. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pikesville. Students from in state pay about $10,600 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,330. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #9 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $25,029. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. Set against $25,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $29,537. Religious Studies graduates of Crown College earn a median of $56,689 early in their careers. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #11 among the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Denver Seminary placed #12 among the best values for religious studies. Denver Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Littleton. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Denver Seminary generally make around $46,243.
Friends University placed #13 among the best values for religious studies. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $46,502. That is a strong return on a $29,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #14 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $27,496. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Duke University came in at #15 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the religious studies program here. Religious Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $39,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz placed #16 among the best values for religious studies. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates of Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz earn a median of $9,428 early in their careers. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #17 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $32,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $37,753. That is a strong return on a $32,873 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry came in at #18 for value in religious studies this year. Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ambridge.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,910. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $16,750. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $78,469. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America admits about 49% of applicants.
Yeshiva University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $51,800. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $52,838. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University earned the #21 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $20,144. Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Other Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Religious Studies rankings across 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
