2026 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Master’s Degree 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong religion/religious studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 581 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value religion/religious studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the religion/religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for religion/religious studies in the United States. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. 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. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at Cornerstone University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $29,243. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Yale University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at Bethel University Minnesota, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $25,639. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Denver Seminary landed the #6 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Denver Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Denver Seminary earn a median of $46,243 early in their careers.
Selma University earned the #7 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the town of Selma, Selma University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #8 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $27,496. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ambridge.
Duke University placed #10 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Santa Clara University placed #11 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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), 2026 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 · 581 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
