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2026 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Master’s Degree Schools

43 Colleges in the United States
11,476 Theology & Religious Vocations Degrees Awarded
$49,336 Avg Early-Career Salary

Theology & Religious Vocations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 607 schools to find the best for theology & religious vocations students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations in the United States

Below are the best theology & religious vocations schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Theology & Religious Vocations

1
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Leading the list is Santa Clara University, our #1 school for theology & religious vocations. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 29 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Santa Clara University

2
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Students looking for a strong theology & religious vocations program will find one at Villanova University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 38 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Villanova University

3

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 31 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $71,681 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

4
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 127 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Duke University earn around $44,015 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Duke University

5

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology & religious vocations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America awarded about 26 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America generally make around $78,469. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

6

Loyola Marymount University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 21 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Loyola Marymount University

7
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #7 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 88 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $45,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Yale University

8

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #8 position for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. About 128 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $55,155 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,074 to complete this degree. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Wheaton College Illinois

9

Wesley Theological Seminary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 113 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Wesley Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Wesley Theological Seminary generally make around $53,160. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Wesley Theological Seminary

10

Creighton University came in at #10 for theology & religious vocations this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. Creighton University awarded about 12 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $64,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Creighton University

11
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University placed #11 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $63,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,422. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Seton Hall University

12
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary came in at #12 for theology & religious vocations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,983. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at University Of Mary

13

Southern Methodist University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $54,351 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Southern Methodist University

14

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #14 for theology & religious vocations this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $36,927 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Sewanee The University Of The South

15
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University landed the #15 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 31 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,646. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for Saint Johns University

16
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University placed #16 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 118 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $46,547. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Emory University

17

Catholic University Of America came in at #17 for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 84 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $55,582 in their early career. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Catholic University Of America

18

The Masters College And Seminary came in at #18 for theology & religious vocations this year. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 133 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $54,527 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete this degree. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for The Masters College And Seminary

19

Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion landed the #19 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 44 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn a median of $114,729 early in their careers. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion

20
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University came in at #20 for theology & religious vocations this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 146 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $63,488. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Andrews University

21

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook landed the #21 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ambler. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 38 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent year. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook

22
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #22 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Boston University awarded about 42 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from Boston University

23

Moody Bible Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 254 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $54,573 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,064 to complete this degree. Read more about the theology & religious vocations program at Moody Bible Institute

24

Abilene Christian University came in at #24 for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Abilene Christian University awarded about 68 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $56,463 in their early career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full theology & religious vocations details for Abilene Christian University

25

North Park University earned the #25 position for theology & religious vocations this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. North Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from North Park University earn around $51,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,360. See the full theology & religious vocations program report for North Park University

Rest of the Top 50 Theology & Religious Vocations Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong theology & religious vocations education:

26
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
27
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
28
29
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
30
31
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
32
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
33
34
35
36
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN
46
47
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
48
Concordia Seminary crest
Concordia Seminary
Saint Louis, MO
49
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
50

Additional Theology & Religious Vocations Award Winners

These schools also stood out for theology & religious vocations:

Rank School Location
#56 University Of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
#58 Columbia International University Columbia, SC
#89 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for theology & religious vocations:

Other Theology & Religious Vocations Degree Levels

Explore the best theology & religious vocations schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Theology & Religious Vocations
Associate's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
Bachelor's Degrees in Theology & Religious Vocations
View All Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 607 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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