by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for theology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in theology, no school beat New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,368.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Holy Apostles College And Seminary, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,580 in tuition and fees.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at The Baptist College Of Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Graceville, The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,000. Students borrow a median of $24,916 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,270. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary generally make around $21,543. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $29,026. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lee University landed the #7 spot for theology value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $42,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #8 spot for theology value this year. Located in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,570. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $47,100. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. Oklahoma Baptist University admits about 49% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute came in at #9 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,786. Theology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Moody Bible Institute generally make around $33,488. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Dallas came in at #10 for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,396. That is a strong return on a $23,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #11 position for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Theology graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. Theology graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,559 median debt. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #12 for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills, Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $10,460 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $29,299 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $26,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 41% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #13 for value in theology this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $29,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Ave Maria University placed #14 among the best values for theology. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $26,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ave Maria University admits about 41% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #15 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $45,874 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University came in at #16 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Theology graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Theology graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $27,088 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,000. Theology graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $32,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Concordia University Irvine placed #18 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $58,590. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
Benedictine College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Theology graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $32,202 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in theology this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $53,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Biola University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $42,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
George Fox University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,324. Early-career theology graduates make about $39,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southeastern University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,218. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $29,809. Set against $23,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants.
The Masters College And Seminary earned the #24 position for value in theology this year. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Students borrow a median of $23,774 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of The Masters College And Seminary earn a median of $43,677 early in their careers. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College came in at #25 for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Valley Forge Christian College generally make around $25,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for theology this year:
Explore the best-value theology schools at other degree levels:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
