by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Ashland University, our #1 best value for theology in Ohio. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,536. Early-career theology graduates make about $52,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theology will find it at Capital University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $28,269. Theology graduates of Capital University earn a median of $46,516 early in their careers. Set against $28,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Franciscan University Of Steubenville one of the best values for theology. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,000. Early-career theology graduates make about $37,089. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Xavier University earned it the #4 place for theology. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.