by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed earned the #1 spot for value among religious studies schools in New Jersey. Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $8,100. Bais Medrash Toras Chesed admits about 58% of applicants.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,526. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Seminary Bnos Chaim is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,150 in tuition and fees. Religious Studies graduates of Seminary Bnos Chaim earn a median of $29,430 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rabbinical College Of America earned it the #4 place for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Morristown, Rabbinical College Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,990 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok earned it the #5 place for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Elizabeth, Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450. Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok earn a median of $61,244 early in their careers. Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok admits about 86% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.