2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology & religious vocations schools.
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2027 Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology & religious vocations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology & Religious Vocations Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Texas the best value for a degree in theology & religious vocations in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma Baptist University earned it the #2 place for theology & religious vocations. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,425. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $47,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Students borrow a median of $41,422 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Set against $41,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mid America Christian University admits about 92% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $25,601. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,064. Students borrow a median of $26,794 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $34,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Criswell College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,750 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,185. Criswell College admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Dallas came in at #7 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $58,396. That is a strong return on a $23,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
College Of Biblical Studies Houston earned the #8 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Houston, College Of Biblical Studies Houston is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,275 in tuition and fees. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $22,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from College Of Biblical Studies Houston generally make around $47,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Canyon University came in at #9 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $35,436 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $40,439. That is a strong return on a $35,436 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Kings University placed #10 among the best values for theology & religious vocations. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Students borrow a median of $48,998 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Kings University generally make around $41,066. That is a strong return on a $48,998 median debt. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Dallas Christian College earned the #11 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Dallas Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $21,680. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $32,000. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Dallas Christian College generally make around $43,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dallas Christian College admits about 22% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University earned the #12 position for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Students borrow a median of $34,353 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $34,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University came in at #13 for value in theology & religious vocations this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $23,250. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #14 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $20,244. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $40,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Arizona Christian University landed the #15 spot for theology & religious vocations value this year. Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $35,098 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the theology & religious vocations program here. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Arizona Christian University generally make around $40,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for theology & religious vocations graduates is $20,712. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theology & religious vocations schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Early-career theology & religious vocations graduates make about $44,601. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
