2027 Best Religious Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Religious Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for religious studies students.
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Best Schools for Religious Studies in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall religious studies education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Religious Studies
Leading the list is Bethel University Minnesota, our #1 school for religious studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 11 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $61,465 in the first couple years of their career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
See the full religious studies program report for Bethel University Minnesota
A rank of #2 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top schools for religious studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 53 religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $27,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religious studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Mary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best religious studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 23 religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree.
See the full religious studies program report for University Of Mary
Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in religious studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 religious studies degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious studies degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $22,133 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans.
Read more about the religious studies program at Missouri State University Springfield
Crown College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 religious studies degrees were awarded at Crown College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious studies degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $56,689. Typical student debt for the program is $29,537.
Get the full religious studies details for Crown College
Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #6 for religious studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hannibal. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Hannibal Lagrange College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $43,544 in their early career. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans.
Get the full religious studies details for Hannibal Lagrange College
Friends University placed #7 among the best religious studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Friends University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious studies program make about $46,502 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,721.
Read more about the religious studies program at Friends University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.
- 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.
