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2023 Best Value Colleges for Religious Education (Income $30-$48k)

29 Ranked Colleges
1,417 Degrees Awarded
$18,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 1,417 people earned their degree in religious education, making the major the 216th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, religious education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,694 and had an average of $27,203 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in religious education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great religious education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the religious education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Religious Education (Income $30-$48k)

1
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Boston College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 5 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Boston College is $7,075 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at Boston College

2
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #2 spot on the list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religious ed degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory is $8,976 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Emory University Religious Education Report

3
Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School crest
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moody Bible Institute landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School also took the #7 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Moody Bible Institute is $19,072 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Education at Moody Bible Institute

4
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wheaton College Illinois landed the #4 spot on the list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 35 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #10 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $18,519 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Religious Education Report

5
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olivet Nazarene University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $15,658 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Education at Olivet Nazarene University

6
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 400 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Grand Canyon University also made our “Best Religious Education Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Canyon University is $18,142 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at Grand Canyon University

7
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. It costs about $17,320 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia International University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Education at CIU

8

Grace Christian University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wyoming, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religious ed degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Grace is $13,255 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Grace Religious Education Report

9

Franciscan University of Steubenville came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religious ed degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.

Franciscan U also took the #3 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franciscan U is $18,170 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Franciscan University of Steubenville Religious Education Report

10

With a ranking of #10, The Baptist College of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Graceville, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s religious ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The Baptist College of Florida is $9,421 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full BCF Religious Education Report

11

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 22 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

MBTS also took the #4 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is $14,864 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Education at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

12

With a ranking of #12, Lincoln Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lincoln Christian University is located in Lincoln, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s religious ed degrees to qualified students.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Christian College and Seminary is $13,524 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lincoln Christian University Religious Education Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Trinity International University - Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Deerfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religious ed degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

TIU Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity International University - Illinois is $19,089 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Religious Education at Trinity International University - Illinois

14
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, Kansas

Benedictine College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atchison, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Benedictine College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. It costs about $23,180 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Benedictine College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Benedictine College Religious Education Report

15
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s religious ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lee University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $14,471 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at Lee University

16
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota

Crown College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, and it awarded 46 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Crown has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $25,533 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Crown College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Religious Education at Crown College

17
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

With a ranking of #17, Ashland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s religious ed degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ashland, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,311 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ashland.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Ashland University Religious Education Report

18
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s religious ed students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $21,256 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Religious Education Report

19
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s religious ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $20,707 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Religious Education at Regent University

20
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

With a ranking of #20, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s religious ed students in 2020-2021.

Azusa Pacific also took the #13 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Azusa Pacific University is $27,031 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Religious Education at Azusa Pacific

21
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

With a ranking of #21, Biola University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s religious ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Biola is $26,419 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at Biola University

22
Cornerstone crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cornerstone University is a small school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 5 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cornerstone University is $18,391 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at Cornerstone

23
CUA crest
Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia

Catholic University of America came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CUA is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s religious ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, CUA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Religious Education Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Catholic University of America is $27,863 for Religious Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Religious Education at Catholic University of America

24

Dallas Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 27 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

DBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Religious Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend DBU is $24,468 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Religious Education at Dallas Baptist University

25

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Religious Ed Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 34 ’s religious ed degrees in 2020-2021.

IWU also made our “Best Religious Education Schools” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global is $18,666 for religious ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Religious Education at IWU

Notes and References

References

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