Best Affordable Online Theology Programs
Learn about online bachelor’s in theology programs that are not only high quality, but affordable, too.
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2022At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Affordable Online Theology Programs
- #1: Franciscan University of Steubenville — This liberal arts program’s courses focus on doctrine, morals, and Scripture.
- #2: Brescia University — The curriculum aligns with standards of readiness for permanent deacons in the U.S.
- #3: Montreat College — Montreat offers stackable scholarship options to maximize financial aid and lower out-of-pocket costs.
Theology is often described as a calling, but for aspiring ministers and missionaries, getting the best possible education for that calling doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best online theology programs that are also affordable. That doesn’t mean these are the cheapest online theology programs, but rather the programs that fit BestColleges’ ranking methodology and are still affordable.
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Top Affordable Online Theology Programs
How We Rank Schools
Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Steubenville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online | Self-Paced and Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $600
Out of State | $600
Credits to Graduate
121
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Franciscan University of Steubenville's (FUS) online bachelor's in theology draws on Western philosophy and Catholic values. The program helps prepare learners for further training in Catholic ministry or graduate studies.
FUS's rigorous Franciscan liberal arts tradition emphasizes critical thinking skills and appreciation for Western literature. Major program topics include ecclesiology, Christology, and moral theology. Degree-seekers choose 12 credits of theology electives. The program concludes with a senior thesis or capstone seminar.
43%
$12,600
88%
$12,600
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,039
- Institution Type
- Private
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online | Self-Paced and Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $425
Out of State | $425
Credits to Graduate
128
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
A Catholic school based in Owensboro, Kentucky, Brescia University began as a women's college. The school is now coeducational. Brescia offers an accelerated online bachelor's in theology tailored to nontraditional and ministry students.
Course topics include spirituality and vocation, world religions, and women in Christian tradition. The program meets the National Association of Lay Ministry's competency expectations. It also aligns with National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons standards.
43%
$550
68%
$550
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,014
- Institution Type
- Private
Montreat College
- Montreat, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Program Format 100% Online | Course Format Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $425
Out of State | $425
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Montreat College offers an online bachelor's in Bible and theology geared towards students looking to enter theological seminaries or graduate religious studies. The program stands out for requiring use of New Testament Greek by senior year, giving students a working knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax.
Course topics include Biblical interpretation, contemporary theologies, and Greek Exegesis. Studies culminate with a senior thesis project. Students can use their degree to pursue employment in ministry, mission work, and Biblical scholasticism.
57%
$13,770
67%
$13,770
- Acceptance Rate
- 56%
- Students Enrolled
- 930
- Institution Type
- Private
Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $540
Out of State | $540
Credits to Graduate
128
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin offers an accelerated online bachelor's in theological studies. This program caters to students seeking personal spiritual growth or a career as a church worker or lay leader. Core courses delve into biblical interpretation with classes in the Old and New Testaments, Gospel of Luke, and life of Christ.
Other required courses cover topics like Christian ethics, world religions, and Lutheran church work. Degree-seekers can personalize their studies with 51 elective credits.
39%
$11,052
81%
$11,052
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,777
- Institution Type
- Private
Grand View University
- Des Moines, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Program Format 100% Online | Course Format Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $452
Out of State | $452
Credits to Graduate
124
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Grand View University offers an online bachelor's in theology taught from a Lutheran perspective. The degree imparts strong critical thinking and leadership skills through a rigorous liberal arts foundation surveying world religions and Western philosophy.
Course topics include Christian faith and life, worship and the arts, and ancient and medieval philosophy. The program prepares graduates for further study in seminaries or graduate school, or for work as a missionary, church educator, or social worker.
27%
$6,481
68%
$6,481
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,889
- Institution Type
- Private
Houston Baptist University
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $425
Out of State | $425
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Houston Baptist University offers an online bachelor's in theological studies steeped in historical and contemporary Christian thought. The program helps students start a cultural dialogue with their world. Graduates can pursue roles in education and ministry.
Major course topics include hermeneutics, systematic theology, and history of Christianity. Learners also study Greek, Hebrew, or Latin.
40%
$10,350
71%
$10,350
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,741
- Institution Type
- Private
Moody Bible Institute
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $370
Out of State | $370
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation
Moody Bible Institute's online bachelor's in theological studies focuses on Biblical scholasticism. Studies center on how past and present theology form a continuum. Students gain theological communication skills.
Course offerings include the self and social identity in Christianity, interpreting scripture, and the church and its doctrines. Enrollees choose a concentration in either Christian thought or spiritual formation.
42%
$8,010
81%
$8,010
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,009
- Institution Type
- Private
Oral Roberts University
- Tulsa, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $410
Out of State | $410
Credits to Graduate
121
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University (ORU) delivers an online bachelor's in historical and philosophical theology. Taught from an Evangelical perspective, the program focuses on training empowered Christian historiographers. Students develop deep knowledge of how philosophical and cultural traditions relate to Christian theology.
Major course topics include history of Christianity in America, Christian apologetics, and philosophy of religion. ORU's curriculum prepares graduates to pursue roles like missionary, pastor, and apologetics instructor.
15%
$12,960
81%
$12,960
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Students Enrolled
- 4,160
- Institution Type
- Private
Southwestern Adventist University
- Keene, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Program Format 100% Online | Course Format Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $462
Out of State | $462
Credits to Graduate
121
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Southwestern Adventist University offers an online bachelor's in theology primarily tailored to learners looking to work as a church administrator or pastor-servant. The program features a rigorous pastoral internship and field school for Evangelism. Students also receive Bible preaching training along with their studies.
Course topics include life and teachings of Jesus, history of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and Biblical conflict resolution. Graduates can use the program as a springboard to seminary training or further education.
7%
$21,528
68%
$21,528
- Acceptance Rate
- 58%
- Students Enrolled
- 687
- Institution Type
- Private
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Bartlesville, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $299
Out of State | $299
Credits to Graduate
126
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Regional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers an online bachelor of science in ministry and leadership. Students develop the skills to work in church ministry, parachurch ministry, or ministry organization administration.
Enrollees can complete the asynchronous, accelerated program in less than two years. Along with ministry and leadership courses, students can adapt their degree to include an ordination track.
32%
$9,540
55%
$9,540
- Acceptance Rate
- 58%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,021
- Institution Type
- Private
Why the Cheapest Online Theology Degree Program Isn’t Always the Most Affordable
“Most affordable” is not always the same as “cheapest.”
While rankings of the cheapest schools may only consider the sticker price to attend an institution — tuition and fees — affordability takes other factors like return on investment (ROI) and financial aid into account. A university that awards institutional financial aid generously, for example, may be a more affordable option for low- and middle-income students than a university with a lower tuition rate.
Additionally, it’s important to consider post-graduation outcomes.
Be sure to look into the types of jobs graduates tend to land after completing different programs. You can use resources like the College Scorecard to compare median earnings and completion rates from different colleges.
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Theology Degree Online
- An astounding 98% of current and graduated online college students say they would recommend online education to others.
- 9 in 10 graduates of online programs believe their online degree has had or will have a positive ROI.
- That percentage jumps to 94% when you look at online bachelor’s students and graduates’ views on the ROI of their degree.
- Three-quarters of online bachelor’s students say online learning is equal to or better than on-campus learning.
- Fully online colleges tend to report lower average net costs ($17,100) than public universities ($20,800).
How Much Does an Online Theology Degree Cost?
Theology & Religious Vocations Bachelor’s, 2019-2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees:$8,339
Avg. Net Price: $4,801
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $18,765
Avg. Net Price: $6,965
Source: NCES PowerStats
Many factors determine how much a program costs. Theology and religious vocations bachelor’s degrees tend to be cheaper if taken online, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
It’s also worth noting, however, that most theology-centric programs are offered at private colleges and universities. Generally, private institutions tend to be more expensive than public schools, so getting a bachelor’s in theology may be more expensive than studying religion more broadly at a public university.
The average cost of college, after grants and scholarships, was nearly double at private universities ($36,200) compared to public schools ($20,800) in 2024-25.
However, Faith-based institutions may offer need-based grants and scholarships.
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What Is an Online Theology Degree’s ROI?
It’s worth noting that, generally, you don’t need a theology degree to become a minister or join a related profession.
However, a bachelor’s in theology program provides structured training in scripture and ministry skills. This degree can also open the door to many adjacent careers, although specific roles often vary by denomination or religion.
The ROI of a theology degree is difficult to calculate.
On one hand, the professions you can pursue after earning a bachelor’s in theology often don’t lead to high salaries. However, a high salary is rarely the reason students choose this field, and return on investment can mean more to you than your earnings. Students tend to pursue theology studies to be a leader in their religious community and connect with others.
How to Save Money on Your Online Theology Degree
There are myriad ways to cut costs when pursuing an online bachelor’s in theology. This helps account for why net costs tend to be less than advertised tuition and fees.
Apply for Financial Aid
Start at a Community College
Get Exempt from Credits
Attend a “Free” Tuition School
All prospective college students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this is how students become eligible for financial aid like Pell Grants and federal student loans. In most instances, it also opens the door to state and institutional grants.
You aren’t obligated to accept any financial aid offered, including loans, but submitting a FAFSA gives you a better picture of the net cost of your college education.
Public, two-year colleges tend to be much more affordable than four-year universities.
With this in mind, it may be more cost effective to pursue an associate degree from a community college before pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in theology. Many faith-based institutions offer online associate degrees in theology and related topics, setting you up well for your bachelor’s program.
Many bachelor’s programs also offer pathways to transfer from a community college.
Avoiding enrollment directly into a four-year degree program could potentially save you thousands, potentially tens of thousands, of dollars on your total college journey.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is an opportunity to earn college credit for professional experience if you can show competency in that given subject.
While not available at all institutions, CPL can help lower the amount of credits you’ll need to earn through a traditional degree program. Doing so can help save you money in the long run, especially if you’re able to graduate faster thanks to CPL.
Colleges and universities across the U.S. offer tuition-free education to qualifying students.
Typically, tuition-free programs are available to low- and middle-income students. A few faith-based universities — including College of the Ozarks and Barclay College — offer tuition-free undergraduate programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Theology Degrees
An online theology bachelor’s degree typically costs students $4,801 per year.
The average annual cost of tuition and fees for these programs was $8,339 as of the 2019-20 academic year. However, after applying for grants and scholarships, the costs can significantly lessen for.
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