2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Texas
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theology schools.
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2027 Best Value Theology Schools in Texas
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 University Of St Thomas Texas this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Theology graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. 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. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $25,601. Early-career theology graduates make about $51,968. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 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. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the theology program here. Early-career theology graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Criswell College earned it the #4 place for theology. Criswell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,185 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Kings University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot 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. Early-career theology graduates make about $41,066. Set against $48,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings University admits about 61% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University came in at #6 for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #7 for value in theology this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $22,819. 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. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $54,351. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
