2027 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for religion/religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in religion/religious studies, no school beat Florida State University this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. 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. 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 #3 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at Yale University, which ranked #4. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Bethel University Minnesota one of the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Denver Seminary landed the #6 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Denver Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Denver Seminary generally make around $46,243.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #7 among the best values for religion/religious studies. 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. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $27,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Duke University placed #8 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $39,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #9 spot for religion/religious studies value 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 $32,873. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $37,753. That is a strong return on a $32,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry landed the #10 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Ambridge, Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Santa Clara University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
