2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Tennessee
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for theology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theology Schools
For return on investment in theology, no school beat Vanderbilt University 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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lee University earned it the #2 place 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Milligan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Lipscomb University one of the best values for theology. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,529. Theology graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the theology program here. 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.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
