Religious Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for religious education students.
The school you choose for religious education can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Religious Education rankings. For our Best Overall Religious Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Religious Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Religious Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the religious education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Minnesota the best school in the country for a degree in religious education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 14 religious education degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $65,183 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
Get the full religious education details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Students looking for a strong religious education program will find one at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America, which ranked #2. 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. About 12 religious education degrees were awarded at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Jewish Theological Seminary Of America earn around $78,469 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750.
Read more about the religious education program at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
A rank of #3 makes Wesley Theological Seminary one of the top schools for religious education. Wesley Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Wesley Theological Seminary awarded about 20 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Wesley Theological Seminary earn a median of $53,160 early in their careers.
Read more about the religious education program at Wesley Theological Seminary
Fordham University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best religious education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fordham University awarded about 14 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
See the full religious education program report for Fordham University
Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in religious education, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 religious education degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $37,880. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in religious education from Wheaton College Illinois
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion landed the #6 spot for religious education this year. Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. There were roughly 22 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earn around $90,050 in the first couple years of their career.
Read more about the religious education program at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion
North Park University earned the #7 position for religious education this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 14 religious education degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious education degree from North Park University earn around $51,611 in the first couple years of their career. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
Read more about the religious education program at North Park University
Dallas Baptist University came in at #8 for religious education this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 19 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $32,426 in their early career. Dallas Baptist University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Dallas Baptist University
Duke University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best religious education schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Duke University earn a median of $35,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full religious education program report for Duke University
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best religious education schools. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 35% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 religious education students who graduated with this degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $74,388.
Get the full religious education details for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #11 for religious education this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 11 religious education degrees were awarded at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Bethel University Minnesota placed #12 among the best religious education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 15 religious education degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $61,465 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree.
Get the full religious education details for Bethel University Minnesota
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #13 among the best religious education schools. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 religious education degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year.
Read more about the religious education program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot for religious education this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. About 17% of students finish within six years. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 16 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in religious education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #15 spot for religious education this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 34 religious education degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. University Of The Cumberlands graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from University Of The Cumberlands
Evangel University College Of Online Learning placed #16 among the best religious education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University College Of Online Learning is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Evangel University College Of Online Learning awarded about 11 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Evangel University College Of Online Learning earn around $41,610 in the first couple years of their career. Evangel University College Of Online Learning graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the religious education program at Evangel University College Of Online Learning
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #17 for religious education this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $55,308. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete this degree.
See the full religious education program report for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #18 for religious education this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 10 religious education degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $48,040 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,606.
More information about a degree in religious education from Loyola University New Orleans
Moody Bible Institute came in at #19 for religious education this year. 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%. About 17 religious education degrees were awarded at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $30,671 in the first couple years of their career. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Moody Bible Institute
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #20 spot for religious education this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 35 religious education degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, religious education degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $35,803. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans.
More information about a degree in religious education from Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Toccoa Falls College placed #21 among the best religious education schools. Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Toccoa Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Toccoa Falls College awarded about 14 religious education degrees in the most recent data year. Religious Education graduates of Toccoa Falls College earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,293.
See the full religious education program report for Toccoa Falls College
Concordia University Seward placed #22 among the best religious education schools. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. Concordia University Seward graduates 65% of students within six years. About 18 religious education degrees were awarded at Concordia University Seward in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $55,023 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
Get the full religious education details for Concordia University Seward
Liberty University earned the #23 position for religious education this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 118 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their religious education degree from Liberty University earn around $45,877 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
Read more about the religious education program at Liberty University
Grand Canyon University placed #24 among the best religious education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 362 religious education degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Religious Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $40,439 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,436.
Read more about the religious education program at Grand Canyon University
Union Presbyterian Seminary earned the #25 position for religious education this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Union Presbyterian Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 19 religious education students who graduated with this degree at Union Presbyterian Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the religious education program make about $45,579 in their early career.
Get the full religious education details for Union Presbyterian Seminary
Rest of the Top 26 Religious Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong religious education education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
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).
