2026 Best Theology And Religious Vocations Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Theology And Religious Vocations doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 607 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Theology And Religious Vocations Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Concordia Theological Seminary earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Fort Wayne, IN, Concordia Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Concordia Theological Seminary
You'll be in good company at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion, which ranked #2 this year. Set in New York, NY, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion report
A rank of #3 makes Concordia Seminary one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Concordia Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Concordia Seminary
The strong Theology And Religious Vocations programs at Fuller Theological Seminary In California earned it the #4 place in the United States. Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a private not-for-profit school based in Pasadena, CA. More on Fuller Theological Seminary In California
A rank of #5 makes Luther Seminary one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Luther Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Luther Seminary
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Based in Santa Clarita, CA, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,020. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $23,774. See the full The Masters College And Seminary profile
Catholic University Of America placed #7 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Typical Theology And Religious Vocations student debt is $25,771. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
Duke University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More on Duke University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. University Of Notre Dame Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Southeastern University placed #10 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical Theology And Religious Vocations student debt is $23,330. Read more about Southeastern University
Biola University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,984. Biola University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $26,227 in debt. Get the full Biola University report
Piedmont International University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Piedmont International University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 21% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,575. Students borrow a median of $34,991 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. More on Piedmont International University
Brite Divinity School landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. More on Brite Divinity School
Saint Paul School Of Theology did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Leawood, KS, Saint Paul School Of Theology is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Saint Paul School Of Theology
Drew University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Madison, NJ, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,100. Typical Theology And Religious Vocations student debt is $26,449. Read the full report on Drew University
Azusa Pacific University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,458. Azusa Pacific University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $24,454 in debt. Get the full Azusa Pacific University report
Dallas Theological Seminary landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dallas, TX, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Dallas Theological Seminary
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Sewanee, TN, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. See the full Sewanee The University Of The South profile
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Based in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $9,298 in debt. More on Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Loyola University Chicago did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,710. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $23,521. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Emory University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Emory University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Read the full report on Emory University
Harding University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Searcy, AR. Harding University graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Harding University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $18,114 in debt. See the full Harding University profile
Asbury Theological Seminary came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Wilmore, KY, Asbury Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Asbury Theological Seminary
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Lisle, IL. Read more about Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Western Seminary landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Portland, OR, Western Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Western Seminary
Rest of the Top 50 Best Theology And Religious Vocations Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Boston College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. Get the full Boston College report
Nazarene Theological Seminary ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Nazarene Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Kansas City, MO. Get the full Nazarene Theological Seminary report
George Fox University placed #29 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newberg, OR. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Read the full report on George Fox University
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $32,291. Read the full report on Bethel University Minnesota
Seattle University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $22,289. Read more about Seattle University
Southern Methodist University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $20,712. Read more about Southern Methodist University
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Winona Lake, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,645. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $25,460. Read more about Grace College And Theological Seminary
Lipscomb University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. Get the full Lipscomb University report
Mccormick Theological Seminary placed #35 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Mccormick Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Mccormick Theological Seminary report
Eden Theological Seminary ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Based in Webster Groves, MO, Eden Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Eden Theological Seminary
Eastern University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Davids, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Eastern University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $28,584 in debt. Read more about Eastern University
Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Lutheran School Of Theology At Chicago profile
Baylor University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Baylor University Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $23,928 in debt. Read the full report on Baylor University
Union Theological Seminary landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Union Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Union Theological Seminary
Erskine College And Seminary landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Due West, SC, Erskine College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Erskine College And Seminary Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Erskine College And Seminary
Wheaton College Illinois did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,546. Wheaton College Illinois Theology And Religious Vocations students take on a median of $24,074 in debt. Read more about Wheaton College Illinois
Lancaster Bible College placed #43 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Set in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,990. Students borrow a median of $22,658 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. More on Lancaster Bible College
Columbia International University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. Columbia International University graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Theology And Religious Vocations program here. Get the full Columbia International University report
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #46 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary graduates 25% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,850. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $17,813. Read more about Faith Evangelical College And Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Glenside, PA, Westminster Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Westminster Theological Seminary
Covenant Theological Seminary placed #49 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Covenant Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Covenant Theological Seminary profile
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary placed #50 among Theology And Religious Vocations schools in the United States. Based in South Hamilton, MA, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Denver Seminary came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Based in Littleton, CO, Denver Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Denver Seminary
University Of Chicago ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Theology And Religious Vocations schools. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Theology And Religious Vocations student debt is $15,854. Read more about University Of Chicago
Samford University did well this year, earning the #54 position. Based in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. The median Theology And Religious Vocations program debt is $21,039. See the full Samford University profile
Related Theology And Religious Vocations Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Schools (All Levels)
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Theology And Religious Vocations Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 607 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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