Skip to main content

Religion/Religious Studies Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Religious studies programs under $20,000 reveal stark contrasts in educational pathways. Students at Talmudical Seminary of Bobov pay just $1,525 net cost while earning $10,673 after graduation, creating one of the lowest cost-to-earnings ratios in higher education. Meanwhile, CUNY Baruch College graduates earn significantly more at $19,794 with a net cost of $2,978. The 91.89% acceptance rate at Bobov demonstrates accessibility in religious education that mirrors growing demand for chaplains and religious counselors across hospitals, military bases, and corporate wellness programs nationwide. Public CUNY schools dominate affordable options with five campuses offering religion programs under $4,000 net cost. Private religious seminaries follow different models, with some maintaining extremely low graduation rates like Yeshiva Shaar Ephraim at 8.1% while others like Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah achieve 52.2% completion rates.
50
Programs
$1,525 – $6,666
Net Price Range
$16,381
Avg. Program Earnings
40.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Religion/Religious Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,525 $13,200 43.0% 91.9%
2 $2,060 $14,000 33.3%
3 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
4 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
5 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
6 $3,074 $12,800 46.9%
7 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
8 $3,755 $16,975 8.1%
9 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
10 $3,964 $10,800 19.2% 95.6%
11 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
12 $4,382 $10,700 52.2% 92.1%
13 $4,479 $6,150 16.7% 100.0%
14 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
15 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
16 $4,596 $12,000 35.0% 86.2%
17 $4,843 $12,300 53.0%
18 $4,913 $8,600 46.2% 84.0%
19 $5,014 $12,750 27.0% 59.0%
20 $5,023 $15,000 78.4%
21 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
22 $5,360 $13,950 33.3% 92.5%
23 $5,548 $14,400 43.9% 72.2%
24 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
25 $5,774 $12,700 3.6% 73.3%
26 $5,800 $12,380 80.0% 100.0%
27 $5,815 $9,900 69.5% 89.1%
28 $5,823 $14,000 18.2%
29 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
30 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
31 $5,970 $8,492 16.7%
32 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
33 $6,055 $9,750 4.3% 100.0%
34 $6,103 $9,950 68.3% 100.0%
35 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
36 $6,147 $9,000 51.5%
37 $6,182 $15,000 7.7% 94.3%
38 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
39 $6,253 $10,290 34.1% 100.0%
40 $6,266 $9,200 5.3% 31.8%
41 $6,349 $10,400 75.0% 100.0%
42 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
43 $6,465 $8,640 65.1% 78.0%
44 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
45 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
46 $6,500 $14,133 56.9%
47 $6,505 $8,100 32.1% 70.5%
48 $6,594 $8,450 25.0% 100.0%
49 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
50 $6,666 $15,800 10.0% 66.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,269 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paid graduates?

Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah graduates earn $19,794 compared to $10,673 at Talmudical Seminary of Bobov, reflecting different career paths within religious studies. The higher-earning program likely prepares students for broader religious leadership roles. CUNY programs typically prepare graduates for secular applications of religious studies skills. Seminary-focused programs often lead to community-based religious positions with different compensation structures.

How do public versus private religious studies programs compare in cost and outcomes?

CUNY public colleges average around $3,000 net cost with graduation rates between 49% and 72%. Private religious seminaries range from $1,525 to $4,479 net cost but show wider graduation rate variation from 8.1% to 52.2%. Baruch College leads public options with a 72.1% graduation rate at $2,978 net cost. Private seminaries often provide specialized religious training but may have different completion expectations.

Where do students find the most affordable religious studies education nationally?

Talmudical Seminary of Bobov offers the lowest net cost at $1,525 despite a $13,200 published tuition price. CUNY Hunter College follows at $2,446 with strong 61% graduation rates and 47.86% acceptance rates. Brooklyn dominates affordable religious education with multiple options under $3,000. These programs concentrate in New York, providing dense networking opportunities within religious communities.

Does graduation rate correlate with program selectivity in religious studies?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Berea College's 24.58% to 100% at Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York, but graduation patterns don't follow selectivity trends. CUNY Baruch combines moderate 49.53% acceptance with strong 72.1% graduation rates. Some seminaries maintain high acceptance rates above 90% while achieving graduation rates between 16% and 52%. Religious education often prioritizes community fit over competitive admission standards.

What career preparation advantages do these affordable programs offer?

Religious studies graduates enter growing fields including healthcare chaplaincy, nonprofit management, and interfaith dialogue facilitation. Programs under $5,000 net cost provide education that typically costs $40,000+ at private colleges. CUNY schools offer urban internship access while seminaries provide direct community leadership training. The $10,673 to $19,794 earnings range reflects varied career applications from traditional ministry to secular counseling roles.

More Religion/Religious Studies Rankings

Cheapest Religion/Religious Studies Best Value Religion/Religious Studies

Related

All Religion/Religious Studies Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.