2027 Best Value Religion/Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for religion/religious studies students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Florida State University the best value for a degree in religion/religious studies in the Southeast Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Religion/religious Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Religion/religious Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for religion/religious studies. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the religion/religious studies program here. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Wesleyan University earned it the #5 place for religion/religious studies. Set in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $22,012 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $28,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University earned the #6 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $25,033. 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 came in at #7 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $40,222. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Spring Hill College earned the #8 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #9 for value in religion/religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Set against $18,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College landed the #10 spot for religion/religious studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,360. Median earnings reach $21,256 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Saint Leo University placed #11 among the best values for religion/religious studies. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $39,471. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Duke University earned the #12 position for value in religion/religious studies this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Religion/religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religion/religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value religion/religious studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for religion/religious studies graduates is $32,873. Early-career religion/religious studies graduates make about $37,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
