2026 Best Religious Education Schools
Looking for the best Religious Education programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 130 institutions 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Religious Education Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion
You'll be in good company at Dallas Theological Seminary, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Read more about Dallas Theological Seminary
The strong Religious Education programs at Grand Canyon University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University graduates 44% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $35,436 in student loans. Get the full Grand Canyon University report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #4 on this year's Religious Education ranking in the United States. Located in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Typical Religious Education student debt is $26,797. More on Olivet Nazarene University
You'll be in good company at Moody Bible Institute, which ranked #5 this year. Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $15,786 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete their Religious Education program here. Get the full Moody Bible Institute report
Crown College placed #6 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Based in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Crown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Crown College Religious Education students take on a median of $25,937 in debt. Read the full report on Crown College
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Steubenville, OH, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. The median Religious Education program debt is $26,980. Get the full Franciscan University Of Steubenville report
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity International University Illinois graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Trinity International University Illinois Religious Education students take on a median of $32,934 in debt. Read the full report on Trinity International University Illinois
Loyola University Chicago placed #10 among Religious Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Religious Education program here. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
Azusa Pacific University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Azusa Pacific University Religious Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Azusa Pacific University
Nazarene Bible College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit school based in Colorado Springs, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,482. Nazarene Bible College Religious Education students take on a median of $40,332 in debt. More on Nazarene Bible College
Union Presbyterian Seminary came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Richmond, VA, Union Presbyterian Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Union Presbyterian Seminary
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Students borrow a median of $15,559 to complete their Religious Education program here. Read the full report on Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. Based 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete their Religious Education program here. More on Bethel University Minnesota
Catholic University Of America landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America
Benedictine College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atchison, KS, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine College posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,350. The median Religious Education program debt is $24,625. Read the full report on Benedictine College
Boston College did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Religious Education program here. Get the full Boston College report
Emory University placed #19 among Religious Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Typical Religious Education student debt is $19,431. More on Emory University
Biola University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. Based in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,454 to complete their Religious Education program here. See the full Biola University profile
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tacoma, WA, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary graduates 25% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,850. Typical Religious Education student debt is $17,813. Get the full Faith Evangelical College And Seminary report
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. Located in Nampa, ID, Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,824. Typical Religious Education student debt is $27,562. Read more about Northwest Nazarene University
Nazarene Theological Seminary placed #24 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Set in Kansas City, MO, Nazarene Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Nazarene Theological Seminary
Grace Bible College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Wyoming, MI, Grace Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Grace Bible College graduates 51% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Typical Religious Education student debt is $30,750. Read more about Grace Bible College
Erskine College And Seminary did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Due West, SC, Erskine College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical Religious Education student debt is $27,000. Get the full Erskine College And Seminary report
Liberty University placed #28 among Religious Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Liberty University Religious Education students take on a median of $27,414 in debt. See the full Liberty University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Religious Education Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Columbia International University placed #29 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete their Religious Education program here. Read more about Columbia International University
Dallas Baptist University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dallas Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,190. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about Dallas Baptist University
Lee University did well this year, earning the #31 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, TN. Lee University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. Typical Religious Education student debt is $26,422. More on Lee University
Princeton Theological Seminary placed #32 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Princeton Theological Seminary
Ashland University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. Located in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. The median Religious Education program debt is $24,536. Read more about Ashland University
Wheaton College Illinois placed #34 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Located in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More on Wheaton College Illinois
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical Religious Education student debt is $32,807. See the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global profile
Cornerstone University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. Cornerstone University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Get the full Cornerstone University report
Regent University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,650. Graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. More on Regent University
Columbia Theological Seminary did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Decatur, GA, Columbia Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Columbia Theological Seminary
Indiana Wesleyan University placed #41 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Based in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Indiana Wesleyan University Religious Education students take on a median of $31,454 in debt. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University report
Andrews University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. Andrews University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Read more about Andrews University
Virginia Baptist College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Virginia Baptist College
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Religious Education schools. More on University Of The Cumberlands
Claremont School Of Theology did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Claremont School Of Theology
Oklahoma Christian University placed #41 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Read more about Oklahoma Christian University
Campbellsville University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. See the full Campbellsville University profile
Muskingum University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Muskingum University
Loyola University New Orleans placed #44 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report
College Of Saint Elizabeth came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full College Of Saint Elizabeth report
Oklahoma Baptist University placed #46 among Religious Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Oklahoma Baptist University
Southern Adventist University did well this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Southern Adventist University profile
West Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. See the full West Virginia Wesleyan College profile
Defiance College
Defiance College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Defiance College
Lourdes College
Lourdes College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Lourdes College
Best Religious Education Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Religious Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Religious Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 130 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.