2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best value for a degree in religious studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Wayland Baptist University one of the best values for religious studies. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the religious studies program here. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Southwestern Assemblies Of God University one of the best values for religious studies. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $31,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete the religious studies program here. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $31,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
