by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools in North Carolina. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Gardner Webb University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Religious Studies graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Duke University earned it the #3 place 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. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.