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Cheapest Religion/Religious Studies Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Pennsylvania's most affordable religion and religious studies programs reveal striking tuition disparities that stretch from $6,349 to over $24,000 annually. Yeshivath Beth Moshe in Scranton delivers the state's lowest net price while maintaining a 75% graduation rate, contrasting sharply with specialized institutions like Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia at $10,120. The commonwealth's religious education market serves students preparing for ministry, nonprofit leadership, and interfaith dialogue roles across Pennsylvania's healthcare systems, where chaplains work alongside medical teams at major employers like UPMC. Public options remain limited, with Lincoln University representing one of the few state institutions offering religious studies at $12,912 net cost. Small private colleges dominate this field, with several programs accepting over 90% of applicants while maintaining graduation rates between 40-80%. Pennsylvania's strong Catholic and Protestant traditions, combined with growing interfaith communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, create steady demand for graduates trained in religious scholarship and pastoral care within the state's expanding healthcare and social services sectors.
45
Programs
$6,349 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$28,753
Avg. Program Earnings
70.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

45 Religion/Religious Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,349 $10,400 75.0% 100.0%
2 $10,120 $10,869 81.6% 87.5%
3 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
4 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
5 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
6 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
7 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
8 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
9 $19,600 $27,804 46.3% 80.0%
10 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
11 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
12 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
13 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
14 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
15 $21,900 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
16 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
17 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
18 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
19 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
20 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
21 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
22 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
23 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
24 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
25 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
26 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
27 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
28 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
29 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
30 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
31 $29,843 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
32 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
33 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
34 $30,314 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
35 $30,485 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
36 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
37 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
38 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
39 $32,496 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
40 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
41 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
42 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
43 $40,429 $64,772 86.2% 32.6%
44 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%
45 $44,876 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Yeshivath Beth Moshe the most affordable option for religious studies in Pennsylvania?

Yeshivath Beth Moshe offers the lowest net price at $6,349 annually, significantly below other private religious institutions in the state. The school maintains a 75% graduation rate with 100% acceptance rate, indicating accessible admission standards. This Scranton-based institution focuses specifically on Jewish religious education, keeping costs low through targeted programming and community support.

How do public and private costs compare for religion programs in Pennsylvania?

Private religious colleges dominate Pennsylvania's offerings, with only Lincoln University representing public education at $12,912 net cost. Most private institutions charge between $19,000-$24,000 annually after financial aid, creating a substantial price gap. Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers the lowest in-state tuition at $11,380 for students who can access their religious studies curriculum.

Is Swarthmore College worth the higher cost for religious studies students?

Swarthmore College commands $18,686 net price while delivering a 94.1% graduation rate, the highest among Pennsylvania's affordable religious programs. The college accepts only 6.93% of applicants, making it highly selective compared to other options on this list. Students gain access to strong academic resources and alumni networks that can justify the premium pricing.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in Pennsylvania religious studies?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Swarthmore's 6.93% to Wilson College's 94.05%, suggesting different institutional approaches rather than quality indicators. Schools like Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia combine selective admission (87.5% acceptance) with strong graduation rates (81.6%). High acceptance rates often reflect specialized missions serving specific religious communities rather than academic standards.

Where do Pennsylvania religious studies graduates typically find employment?

Pennsylvania's healthcare systems, including UPMC, employ chaplains and spiritual care coordinators trained in religious studies programs. Graduates also serve in nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and religious congregations throughout the state's urban centers. The commonwealth's interfaith communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh create additional opportunities for ministry and community outreach roles.

More Religion/Religious Studies Rankings

Best Value Religion/Religious Studies in Pennsylvania Religion/Religious Studies Under $20,000 in Pennsylvania

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