by our College Data Analytics Team
[Religious Education](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/religious-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong religious education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for religious education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the religious education degrees they offer, see the list below.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among religious education schools in the United States. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
A rank of #2 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for religious education. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Religious Education graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value religious education schools. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the religious education program here. Religious Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #4 makes The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for religious education. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in religious education will find it at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #6 position for value in religious education this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for religious education graduates is $35,436. Early-career religious education graduates make about $43,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #7 spot for religious education value this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the religious education program here. Early-career religious education graduates make about $35,803. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University New Orleans earned the #8 position for value in religious education this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans. Religious Education graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $48,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #9 for value in religious education this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the religious education program here. Early-career religious education graduates make about $43,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #10 among the best values for religious education. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the religious education program here. Early-career religious education graduates make about $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Union Presbyterian Seminary earned the #11 position for value in religious education this year. Union Presbyterian Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. Religious Education graduates of Union Presbyterian Seminary earn a median of $45,579 early in their careers.
Liberty University landed the #12 spot for religious education value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Religious Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Wesley Theological Seminary came in at #13 for value in religious education this year. Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career religious education graduates make about $53,160.
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion placed #14 among the best values for religious education. Located in the city of New York, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit university. Religious Education graduates of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn a median of $90,050 early in their careers.
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value religious education schools. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,910. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America generally make around $78,469. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America admits about 49% of applicants.
Fordham University earned the #16 position for value in religious education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Religious Education graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Early-career religious education graduates make about $59,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Religious Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Religious Education Rankings >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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.