by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,368 in tuition and fees.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. 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.
Vanderbilt University came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Theology graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Theology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #4 makes The Baptist College Of Florida one of the best values for theology. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. Students from in state pay about $15,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,916. Early-career theology graduates make about $34,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Baptist College Of Florida admits about 36% of applicants.
Erskine College And Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot this year. Erskine College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Due West. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Theology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $35,695. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University came in at #6 for value in theology 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. Theology graduates carry a median of $30,593 in student loans. Theology graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $25,910 early in their careers. Set against $30,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Campbellsville University earned the #7 position for value in theology this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $24,148. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $54,029. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $42,658. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #9 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career theology graduates make about $49,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University placed #10 among the best values for theology. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Theology graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $49,985 early in their careers. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bob Jones University placed #11 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $28,325. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Leo University earned the #12 position for value in theology this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $32,116. Theology graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $57,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College earned the #13 position for value in theology this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Harding University earned the #14 position for value in theology this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Emory University came in at #15 for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $74,348. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mercer University came in at #16 for value in theology this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $42,866 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,463 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Lipscomb University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Ave Maria University came in at #18 for value in theology this year. Located in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Theology graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $26,924. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Columbia International University placed #19 among the best values for theology. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $32,296. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #20 for value in theology this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,091. Early-career theology graduates make about $36,927. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Luther Rice University And Seminary placed #21 among the best values for theology. Located in the suburb of Lithonia, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,320. Theology graduates carry a median of $36,730 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach placed #22 among the best values for theology. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Palm Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach generally make around $28,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Liberty University landed the #23 spot for theology value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,414. Theology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $53,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University earned the #24 position for value in theology this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $70,809. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Southeastern University earned the #25 position for value in theology this year. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Theology graduates carry a median of $19,609 in student loans. Theology graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $33,030 early in their careers. Set against $19,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.