Theology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best theology schools.
Where you study theology matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Theology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Theology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Theology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the theology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in theology. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 48 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theology from Santa Clara University
Villanova University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 theology students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans.
See the full theology program report for Villanova University
Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 45 theology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,172. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
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Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 186 theology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Duke University earn a median of $70,809 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
More information about a degree in theology from Duke University
Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in theology, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 35 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $56,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree.
See the full theology program report for Wheaton College Illinois
Emory University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 theology students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Emory University earn around $74,348 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theology program at Emory University
Saint Johns University landed the #7 spot for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Saint Johns University awarded about 17 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in theology from Saint Johns University
Vanderbilt University earned the #8 position for theology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 13 theology degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $42,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full theology program report for Vanderbilt University
Southern Methodist University placed #9 among the best theology schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 48 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
Read more about the theology program at Southern Methodist University
Seton Hall University came in at #10 for theology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 theology degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Seton Hall University earn around $63,871 in the first couple years of their career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans.
Get the full theology details for Seton Hall University
Sewanee The University Of The South ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Sewanee The University Of The South awarded about 10 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Sewanee The University Of The South earn around $36,927 in the first couple years of their career. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans.
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Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook earned the #12 position for theology this year. Set in the suburb of Ambler, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 theology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook in the most recent data year.
See the full theology program report for Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Overbrook
Xavier University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $55,045 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans.
Read more about the theology program at Xavier University
North Park University placed #14 among the best theology schools. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. North Park University awarded about 23 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $51,611 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theology program at North Park University
Moody Bible Institute placed #15 among the best theology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Moody Bible Institute graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 theology students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from Moody Bible Institute earn around $47,689 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
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Providence College placed #16 among the best theology schools. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Providence College awarded about 16 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $53,208 in their early career. Providence College graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans.
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Boston College came in at #17 for theology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 95 theology degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology degree from Boston College earn around $49,117 in the first couple years of their career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theology from Boston College
University Of Mary earned the #18 position for theology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree.
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The Masters College And Seminary placed #19 among the best theology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 62 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology degree from The Masters College And Seminary earn around $55,300 in the first couple years of their career. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theology from The Masters College And Seminary
Harvard University landed the #20 spot for theology this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 89 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $40,838. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Concordia University Irvine ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. About 19 theology degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the theology program make about $58,590 in their early career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans.
See the full theology program report for Concordia University Irvine
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot for theology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona Lake. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 theology students who graduated with this degree at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Theology graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans.
See the full theology program report for Grace College And Theological Seminary
Sacred Heart Major Seminary came in at #23 for theology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 62 theology students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the most recent data year.
Get the full theology details for Sacred Heart Major Seminary
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #24 position for theology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 theology degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Theology graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,628.
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Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best theology schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 204 theology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology program make about $73,186 in their early career. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans.
See the full theology program report for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Rest of the Top 50 Theology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s theology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 77 schools evaluated.
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).
