2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in Tennessee
[Theology & Religious Vocations](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for theology & religious vocations students.
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2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for value among theology & religious vocations schools in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $42,583. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trevecca Nazarene University earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $33,727 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $41,443. That is a strong return on a $33,727 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lee University earned it the #3 place for theology & religious vocations. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,736 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $37,320. Set against $28,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theology & religious vocations will find it at Milligan College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Freed Hardeman University earned it the #5 place for theology & religious vocations. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $44,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Johnson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $21,122 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $25,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $36,783. That is a strong return on a $25,126 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University earned the #7 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,529. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Free Will Baptist Bible College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Free Will Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,400 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,198.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #9 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $22,091. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
- 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.
