2026 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Religion/Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/religion-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 143 schools to find the best return on investment for religion/religious studies students.
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2026 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in religion/religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Central Florida, our #1 best value for religion/religious studies in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes American Public University System one of the best values for religion/religious studies. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $21,792. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $31,123. That is a strong return on a $24,621 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in religion/religious studies will find it at Saint Leo University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $39,471 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,267 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University placed #7 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Religion/religious Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $58,984 early in their careers. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #8 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $32,873 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. 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. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $39,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
