2026 Best Value Bible/Biblical Studies Schools in California
[Bible/Biblical Studies](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/biblical-studies/bible-biblical-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong bible/biblical studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for bible/biblical studies students.
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2026 Best Value Bible/Biblical Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in bible/biblical studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Bible/Biblical Studies Schools
Leading the list is Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary, our #1 best value for bible/biblical studies in California. Set in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,460. Students borrow a median of $29,299 to complete the bible/biblical studies program here. Soon after graduation, bible/biblical studies degree recipients from Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $26,407. Set against $29,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Baptist University earned it the #2 place for bible/biblical studies. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for bible/biblical studies graduates is $28,169. Bible/biblical Studies graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Biola University earned it the #3 place for bible/biblical studies. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Bible/biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career bible/biblical studies graduates make about $43,788. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Masters College And Seminary earned it the #4 place for bible/biblical studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,020 in tuition and fees. Bible/biblical Studies graduates carry a median of $22,089 in student loans. Early-career bible/biblical studies graduates make about $41,502. That is a strong return on a $22,089 median debt. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
