2027 Best Value Theology Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology Schools
Andrews University earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the United States. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Trinity International University Illinois one of the best values for theology. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,892. Theology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sacred Heart Major Seminary earned it the #3 place for theology. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Median earnings reach $49,295 ten years out. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned it the #5 place for theology. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Theology 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.
Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot for theology value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $42,583. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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 $34,557. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
North Park University landed the #8 spot for theology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #9 for value in theology this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Theology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Theology graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary came in at #10 for value in theology this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary earned the #11 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,580.
Harvard University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Theology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Erskine College And Seminary came in at #13 for value in theology this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,000. Early-career theology graduates make about $35,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #14 for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $21,211. Theology graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #16 among the best values for theology. Set in the city of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $56,478. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University earned the #17 position for value in theology this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $54,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University placed #18 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $37,136 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University came in at #19 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,830. Students borrow a median of $30,593 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $25,910. That is a strong return on a $30,593 median debt. Virginia Union University admits about 98% of applicants.
Lee University earned the #20 position for value in theology this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $38,249. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #21 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Moody Bible Institute earned the #22 position for value in theology this year. Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Theology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $61,890. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants.
Regent University earned the #23 position for value in theology this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Regent University earn a median of $49,840 early in their careers. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Life Pacific College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,118. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,521. Theology graduates of Life Pacific College earn a median of $39,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,521 median debt. Life Pacific College admits about 96% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Theology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology value ranking:
Other Theology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theology rankings across degree levels:
View All Theology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
