2026 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 68 schools to find the best return on investment for religious studies students.
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2026 Best Value Religious Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religious Studies Schools
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #1 spot for value among religious studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $22,133. That is a strong return on a $26,349 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $29,721. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $46,502. Set against $29,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Friends University admits about 55% of applicants.
Crown College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value religious studies schools. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Typical student debt for religious studies graduates is $29,537. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $56,689. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career religious studies graduates make about $27,496. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
