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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools in North Carolina. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Shaw University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $37,044. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $28,533. Set against $37,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Lenoir Rhyne University, which ranked #3. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $26,900. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $49,985. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Grace College Of Divinity came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Grace College Of Divinity is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,105. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Piedmont International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,575. Students borrow a median of $34,991 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $48,283 early in their careers. Set against $34,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Campbell University landed the #6 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $40,858 early in their careers. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
Carolina College Of Biblical Studies placed #7 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Carolina College Of Biblical Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,906. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $24,653. Median earnings reach $24,581 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,653 median debt.
Wake Forest University landed the #8 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $40,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Duke University earn a median of $70,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.