2027 Best Value Theology Schools
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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Finding the Best Value Theology School for You
Where you study theology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Theology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Theology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theology Schools
Trinity International University Illinois earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the United States. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $50,178. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $68,117. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Sacred Heart Major Seminary one of the best values for theology. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
Vanderbilt University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $13,975. Theology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #6 for value in theology this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Theology graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for theology. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $45,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #8 spot for theology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,596. Theology graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Theology graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary came in at #10 for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,580.
University Of Mary placed #11 among the best values for theology. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Theology graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The Baptist College Of Florida earned the #12 position for value in theology this year. Set in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,000. Students borrow a median of $24,916 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,350. That is a strong return on a $24,916 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #13 spot for theology value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,270. Theology graduates of Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $21,543 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Erskine College And Seminary came in at #14 for value in theology this year. Set in the rural area of Due West, Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Erskine College And Seminary generally make around $35,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Erskine College And Seminary admits about 63% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #15 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Theology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #16 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Theology graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Theology graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #17 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,628. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #18 for value in theology this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
Virginia Union University landed the #19 spot for theology value this year. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $30,593. Early-career theology graduates make about $25,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Union University admits about 98% of applicants.
Campbellsville University came in at #20 for value in theology this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Evangel University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Theology graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $57,895 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University placed #22 among the best values for theology. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,422. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #23 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. 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. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Theology graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Regent University placed #25 among the best values for theology. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $29,451. Theology graduates of Regent University earn a median of $49,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in theology:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Theology. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
