by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Elim Bible Institute And College the best value for a degree in theology & religious vocations in New York. Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Students borrow a median of $11,998 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $18,339. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Davis College earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the rural area of Pottersville, Davis College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $25,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #3 spot this year. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,200. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $15,903. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,500. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef Dspinka generally make around $14,771.
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,000. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion generally make around $10,153.
Word Of Life Bible Institute earned the #6 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Pottersville, Word Of Life Bible Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,500. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $12,000. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $20,638. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $71,910. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $16,750. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $78,469. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel earned the #8 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Rabbinical College Of Ohr Shimon Yisroel is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,300.
Fordham University earned the #9 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.