2026 Best Value Religious Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Religious Studies doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $32,873 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,813. That is a strong return on a $32,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%. Get the full Liberty University report

#2

Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

New York, NY

You'll get strong value at Jewish Theological Seminary Of America, which ranked #2 this year. Based in New York, NY, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,910. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America Religious Studies students take on a median of $16,750 in debt. Median earnings reach $92,751 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%. Read the full report on Jewish Theological Seminary Of America

#3

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,275. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#4

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Out of the 780 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $111,371. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

#5

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $20,542. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Arizona State University report

#6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $12,550. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,200. Set against $12,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile

#6

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $19,431. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,137 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Emory University

#8

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. The median Religious Studies program debt is $13,296. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%. More on Duke University

#9

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 24%. Read the full report on Florida State University

#10

University Of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,873 to complete their Religious Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,915. That is a strong return on a $15,873 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 33%. More on University Of California Santa Barbara

#11

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,267 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $86,863 ten years after entry. Set against $18,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus

#12

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $17,669. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Florida

#13

University Of California Riverside

Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. The median Religious Studies program debt is $19,187. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. The median Religious Studies program debt is $13,975. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $91,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Vanderbilt University profile

#15

New York University

New York, NY

New York University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $21,897. Median earnings reach $82,509 ten years out. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. See the full New York University profile

#16

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among the best-value Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Religious Studies program here. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York

#17

Boston University

Boston, MA

Boston University placed #17 among the best-value Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical Religious Studies student debt is $25,232. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University has an acceptance rate of 11%. See the full Boston University profile

#18

Beth Medrash Meor Yitzchok

Beth Medrash Meor Yitzchok ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. See the full Beth Medrash Meor Yitzchok profile

#19

Culver Stockton College

Culver Stockton College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Culver Stockton College report

#20

Mount Olive College

Mount Olive College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Mount Olive College profile

#21

Rabbinical Seminary Mkor Chaim

Rabbinical Seminary Mkor Chaim ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Read more about Rabbinical Seminary Mkor Chaim

#22

Roanoke College

Roanoke College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. More on Roanoke College

#23

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Spring Arbor University

#24

Dickinson College

Dickinson College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full Dickinson College profile

#25

Duquesne University

Duquesne University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Duquesne University

#26

Saint John Fisher College

Saint John Fisher College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full Saint John Fisher College profile

#27

University At Buffalo

University At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on University At Buffalo

#28

Marist College

Marist College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. See the full Marist College profile

#29

Mercyhurst College

Mercyhurst College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Read more about Mercyhurst College

#30

Stonehill College

Stonehill College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full Stonehill College profile

#31

University Of Georgia

University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full University Of Georgia report

#32

Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Youngstown State University

#33

Averett University

Averett University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Averett University

#34

Gratz College

Gratz College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full Gratz College profile

#35

Meadville Lombard Theological School

Meadville Lombard Theological School came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Meadville Lombard Theological School

#36

Rabbinical College Beth Shraga

Rabbinical College Beth Shraga landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Rabbinical College Beth Shraga

#37

Virginia Wesleyan College

Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Virginia Wesleyan College report

#38

Butler University

Butler University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Butler University profile

#39

Coe College

Coe College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Coe College report

#40

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia University Ann Arbor came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Concordia University Ann Arbor

#41

Fontbonne University

Fontbonne University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Read the full report on Fontbonne University

#42

Southwestern College

Southwestern College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Southwestern College profile

#43

University Of Houston

University Of Houston ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Read more about University Of Houston

#44

Wayland Baptist University

Wayland Baptist University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. More on Wayland Baptist University

#45

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Studies schools. Read more about West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

#46

Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Lansing Community College

#47

Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary

Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary placed #47 among the best-value Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary

#48

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Mount Vernon Nazarene University

#49

University Of The Pacific

University Of The Pacific came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of The Pacific

#50

Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College

Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College