by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for theology & religious vocations students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Sacred Heart Major Seminary, our #1 best value for theology & religious vocations in Michigan. Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $24,140. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,295. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Andrews University earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $64,008. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Grace Bible College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,069 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Grace Bible College generally make around $41,146. That is a strong return on a $30,069 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Cornerstone University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $43,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $46,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Calvin College, which ranked #5. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.