by our College Data Analytics Team
[Theology](/majors/theology-and-religious-vocations/theological-ministerial-studies/theology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for theology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theology, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Mary earned the #1 spot for value among theology schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $26,983. Early-career theology graduates make about $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #2 spot this year. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $20,270 in tuition and fees. Early-career theology graduates make about $21,543. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary admits about 68% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the theology program here. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #4 makes Evangel University one of 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. Early-career theology graduates make about $57,895. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for theology. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $73,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque earned the #6 position for value in theology this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,095. Typical student debt for theology graduates is $27,204. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $51,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Saint Johns University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Theology graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. Theology graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #8 position for value in theology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the theology program here. Theology graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $40,532 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Benedictine College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value theology schools. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Theology graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $32,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #10 spot for theology value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $46,813. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #11 spot for theology value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Theology graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Early-career theology graduates make about $71,681. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Creighton University landed the #12 spot for theology value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Theology graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
