2027 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-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 21 schools to find the best return on investment for religion/religious studies students.
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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
University Of Central Florida earned the #1 spot for value among religion/religious studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Chico came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $21,000. Religion/religious Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,873 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $19,911. Set against $15,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Southern Wesleyan University placed #6 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Students borrow a median of $22,012 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,012 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University landed the #7 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
College Of Charleston came in at #8 for value in religion/religious studies this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. 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. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among the best values for religion/religious studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $21,111. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
Saint Leo University landed the #11 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Students borrow a median of $39,471 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $49,458. Set against $39,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,360. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,256. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College came in at #13 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $25,208. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,850. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,813 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $42,103. Set against $17,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmont College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,584 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $44,240 early in their careers. Set against $23,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #16 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $19,500. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $27,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #17 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $36,495. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $38,540. Set against $36,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America earned the #18 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwest Nazarene University earned the #19 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Students borrow a median of $27,650 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $27,650 median debt. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound landed the #20 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,287 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $20,357 early in their careers. Set against $25,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #21 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,612 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $31,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Other Religion/Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Religion/Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Religion/Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
