2026 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Fresno Pacific University tops our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools in California. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $21,111. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Azusa Pacific University, which ranked #3. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,454 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Life Pacific College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,141 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $37,753. Set against $24,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,460. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,299 median debt. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
California Baptist University landed the #6 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $28,169. Theology & Religious Vocations 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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
World Mission University earned the #7 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #8 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,085. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Hope International University earned the #9 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $38,125. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $18,054 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Hope International University earn a median of $50,661 early in their careers. Set against $18,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Biola University earned the #10 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,227. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Biola University earn a median of $42,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,227 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
The Masters College And Seminary placed #11 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,774. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $50,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Masters College And Seminary admits about 84% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #12 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University placed #13 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $79,380. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
