2026 Best Value Religious Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Religious Education bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 130 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Moody Bible Institute to be the best-value Religious Education school in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Moody Bible Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,786. Moody Bible Institute Religious Education students take on a median of $14,000 in debt. Moody Bible Institute alumni report median earnings of $45,399 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Moody Bible Institute admits about 83% of applicants. Get the full Moody Bible Institute report
Nazarene Bible College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Religious Education bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,482. The median Religious Education program debt is $40,332. Nazarene Bible College alumni report median earnings of $41,450 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Nazarene Bible College report
Out of the 130 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #3 spot. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Get the full Grand Canyon University report
Grace Bible College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Grace Bible College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wyoming, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,190. Typical Religious Education student debt is $30,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,663. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. See the full Grace Bible College profile
Franciscan University Of Steubenville offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Steubenville, OH, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Franciscan University Of Steubenville alumni report median earnings of $50,030 a decade after entry. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Olivet Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bourbonnais, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Olivet Nazarene University Religious Education students take on a median of $26,797 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,213. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Olivet Nazarene University has an acceptance rate of 56%. See the full Olivet Nazarene University profile
Crown College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Typical Religious Education student debt is $25,937. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,057. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%. Read the full report on Crown College
Trinity International University Illinois placed #10 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Based in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,320. Graduates carry a median of $32,934 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,989. That is a strong return on a $32,934 median debt. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. More on Trinity International University Illinois
Lee University placed #11 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. Typical Religious Education student debt is $26,422. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Lee University
Benedictine College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atchison, KS. Students from in state pay about $36,350 in tuition and fees. Benedictine College Religious Education students take on a median of $24,625 in debt. Median earnings reach $53,175 ten years out. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants. Read the full report on Benedictine College
Columbia International University placed #13 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Typical Religious Education student debt is $21,667. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,951. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants. Read more about Columbia International University
Azusa Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,458. Typical Religious Education student debt is $25,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,677 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Azusa Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 88%. Get the full Azusa Pacific University report
Northwest Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nampa, ID. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,824. The median Religious Education program debt is $27,562. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%. More on Northwest Nazarene University
Dallas Baptist University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,807. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Dallas Baptist University
Biola University placed #17 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Located in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. More on Biola University
Indiana Wesleyan University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. The median Religious Education program debt is $31,454. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,986. Set against $31,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants. More on Indiana Wesleyan University
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school based in Wheaton, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,546. The median Religious Education program debt is $25,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,756. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about Wheaton College Illinois
Princeton Theological Seminary came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. See the full Princeton Theological Seminary profile
Concordia University Texas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. More on Concordia University Texas
La Roche College
La Roche College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about La Roche College
Nazarene Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read the full report on Nazarene Theological Seminary
Lindsey Wilson College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Lindsey Wilson College
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. More on Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. See the full Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary profile
Southwest Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Southwest Baptist University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Religious Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #26 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Get the full The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary report
Regent University placed #27 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Regent University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Mount Vernon Nazarene University report
Virginia Baptist College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Virginia Baptist College
Bethesda University Of California came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bethesda University Of California report
North Park University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full North Park University profile
Oakwood University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Oakwood University
Chestnut Hill College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Chestnut Hill College profile
John Carroll University placed #34 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. More on John Carroll University
Howard Payne University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Howard Payne University
Defiance College
Defiance College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Defiance College
Asbury University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Read more about Asbury University
Southern Nazarene University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Southern Nazarene University
Loyola University Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Get the full Oklahoma Baptist University report
Carolina College Of Biblical Studies came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Carolina College Of Biblical Studies
Andrews University landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Andrews University report
Muskingum University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Muskingum University report
Shorter University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Shorter University
Marian University Indiana ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. Read more about Marian University Indiana
Wesley Biblical Seminary came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Wesley Biblical Seminary report
University Of The Cumberlands placed #47 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Read more about University Of The Cumberlands
Concordia University Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Concordia University Irvine report
Bethel University Minnesota placed #49 among the best-value Religious Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Bethel University Minnesota
College Of Saint Elizabeth ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Religious Education schools. More on College Of Saint Elizabeth
Related Religious Education Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Religious Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Religious Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).
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