2026 Best Value Religious Education Schools
Looking for the best-value Religious Education programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 130 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Religious Education Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, our #1 best-value Religious Education school in the United States. Located in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,530. The median Religious Education program debt is $15,559. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,535 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Out of the 130 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,850. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary Religious Education students take on a median of $17,813 in debt. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary alumni report median earnings of $51,006 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt. See the full Faith Evangelical College And Seminary profile
A rank of #4 makes Ashland University one of the best values in the United States. Ashland University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ashland, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Ashland University alumni report median earnings of $52,928 a decade after entry. Set against $24,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants. See the full Ashland University profile
Out of the 130 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #5 spot. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Graduates carry a median of $35,436 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,186. Set against $35,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. More on Grand Canyon University
Moody Bible Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $15,786. Moody Bible Institute Religious Education students take on a median of $14,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,399 ten years after entry. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moody Bible Institute has an acceptance rate of 83%. Read the full report on Moody Bible Institute
Nazarene Bible College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,482. Nazarene Bible College Religious Education students take on a median of $40,332 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,450 ten years out. Set against $40,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Nazarene Bible College
Liberty University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,813. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants. See the full Liberty University profile
Dallas Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Dallas, TX, Dallas Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Dallas Theological Seminary report
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical Religious Education student debt is $25,639. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,764 ten years after entry. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
Nazarene Theological Seminary came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. More on Nazarene Theological Seminary
Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion placed #12 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute Of Religion
Union Presbyterian Seminary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Based in Richmond, VA, Union Presbyterian Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Union Presbyterian Seminary profile
Crown College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Crown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Bonifacius, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,057 ten years after entry. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 23% of those who apply are admitted. More on Crown College
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. The median Religious Education program debt is $32,807. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global alumni report median earnings of $59,986 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global report
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #18 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Based in Steubenville, OH, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. The median Religious Education program debt is $26,980. Franciscan University Of Steubenville alumni report median earnings of $50,030 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,980 median debt. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Erskine College And Seminary landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Due West, SC, Erskine College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Religious Education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,459 ten years after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 63% of those who apply are admitted. More on Erskine College And Seminary
Loyola University Chicago ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical Religious Education student debt is $23,521. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,530. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Grace Bible College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Wyoming, MI, Grace Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete their Religious Education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,663 ten years after entry. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Grace Bible College
Azusa Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Azusa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Azusa Pacific University Religious Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Azusa Pacific University alumni report median earnings of $66,677 a decade after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants. Read more about Azusa Pacific University
Cornerstone University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Cornerstone University Religious Education students take on a median of $29,243 in debt. Cornerstone University alumni report median earnings of $47,314 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. More on Cornerstone University
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. The median Religious Education program debt is $32,934. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,989 ten years after entry. Set against $32,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Trinity International University Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Olivet Nazarene University Religious Education students take on a median of $26,797 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,213. Set against $26,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Lee University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Typical Religious Education student debt is $26,422. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,222. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. More on Lee University
Regent University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,650. Regent University Religious Education students take on a median of $29,451 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,498 ten years after entry. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Regent University report
Benedictine College placed #29 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit school based in Atchison, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,350. Benedictine College Religious Education students take on a median of $24,625 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Benedictine College has an acceptance rate of 98%. More on Benedictine College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Religious Education Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Boston College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. The median Religious Education program debt is $18,101. Median earnings reach $103,937 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Boston College report
Princeton Theological Seminary landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Princeton Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Read more about Princeton Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Decatur, GA, Columbia Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia International University placed #33 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,900. Typical Religious Education student debt is $21,667. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%. Get the full Columbia International University report
Biola University placed #34 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Set in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Graduates carry a median of $25,454 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,778 ten years after entry. Set against $25,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Biola University
Northwest Nazarene University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Nampa, ID, Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,824. Northwest Nazarene University Religious Education students take on a median of $27,562 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,719 ten years out. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%. More on Northwest Nazarene University
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Set in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Religious Education program here. Wheaton College Illinois alumni report median earnings of $63,756 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Wheaton College Illinois report
Dallas Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. The median Religious Education program debt is $21,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full Dallas Baptist University profile
Emory University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education 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 Education student debt is $19,431. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,137 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University has an acceptance rate of 11%. Get the full Emory University report
Catholic University Of America came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Catholic University Of America Religious Education students take on a median of $25,771 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,250. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Marion, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $32,352. Students borrow a median of $31,454 to complete their Religious Education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,986 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Indiana Wesleyan University
Andrews University placed #41 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Set in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical Religious Education student debt is $26,314. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,187 ten years after entry. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University has an acceptance rate of 82%. More on Andrews University
Lipscomb University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Lipscomb University
Boise Bible College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Boise Bible College
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of The Cumberlands
Carolina Christian College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Carolina Christian College profile
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Seminario Evangelico De Puerto Rico placed #43 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. See the full Seminario Evangelico De Puerto Rico profile
Calvin Theological Seminary came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Calvin Theological Seminary report
Davis And Elkins College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Davis And Elkins College report
Asbury University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. See the full Asbury University profile
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Read the full report on Oklahoma Baptist University
Huntsville Bible College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Read the full report on Huntsville Bible College
Talmudic College Of Florida landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Talmudic College Of Florida
University Of Dallas placed #50 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Dallas
Best Value Religious Education Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Religious Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · 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).