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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 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.
University Of St Thomas Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value theology schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,628. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $47,100. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Baptist University earned it the #3 place for theology. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $51,968. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #4 makes Criswell College one of the best values for theology. Set in the city of Dallas, Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,185 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Dallas one of the best values for theology. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,411 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Kings University earned the #6 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Southlake, Kings University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,480. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $48,998. Theology graduates of Kings University earn a median of $41,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $34,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #8 position for value in theology this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $23,772. Early-career theology graduates make about $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #9 spot for theology value this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Theology graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.