2027 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for religion/religious studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Religion/Religious Studies School for You
Where you study religion/religious studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religion/religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
For return on investment in religion/religious studies, no school beat Florida State University this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $20,488. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at California State University Chico, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $18,591. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #5 place for religion/religious studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $21,813. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #7 for value in religion/religious studies this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,873 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. Set against $15,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Southern Wesleyan University earned the #8 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Central. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $22,012. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $28,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Harvard University earned the #9 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $22,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University placed #11 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
College Of Charleston earned the #12 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $24,733. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #14 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $18,267. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $25,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Hill College landed the #16 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Elim Bible Institute And College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Elim Bible Institute And College generally make around $18,339. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #18 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #19 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $14,357. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Saint Leo University landed the #20 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Students borrow a median of $39,471 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $49,458. That is a strong return on a $39,471 median debt. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College came in at #21 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,360. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,256. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Hope College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $25,208. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary earned the #23 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. Set against $17,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #24 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Westmont College earned the #25 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,584. Students borrow a median of $23,773 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $44,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in religion/religious studies:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Religion/Religious Studies. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
