2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong religious studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast 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
Florida State University tops our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools in the Southeast Region. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #3 place for religious studies. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 #4 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Wesleyan University came in at #6 for value in religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $22,012. Religious Studies graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,012 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the religious studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
College Of Charleston placed #8 among the best values for religious studies. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete the religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #9 spot for religious studies value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Set against $18,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Spring Hill College came in at #10 for value in religious studies this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College earned the #11 position for value in religious studies this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,360. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,256. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #12 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University earned the #13 position for value in religious studies this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $27,569. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $46,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. 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. That is a strong return on a $39,471 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc placed #15 among the best values for religious studies. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Set against $28,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Mississippi College landed the #16 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $47,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #17 among the best values for religious studies. 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. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Religious Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $39,956 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #18 spot for religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,873 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $37,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Joseph Seminary College earned the #19 position for value in religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of St. Benedict, Saint Joseph Seminary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,750 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $38,366 ten years out.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
