Bible/Biblical Studies: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 48 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$264,702 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
2657.0 yrsModeled economic break-even
−100%Modeled 10-year ROI
$45,100Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$45,100Median reported earnings · year 4
$43,068Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,000Median federal debt
10thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
48Reporting programs
39With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,160
- Federal debt
- $22,274
- Reporting programs
- 1
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $39,670
- Federal debt
- $25,305
- Reporting programs
- 6
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,100
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 48
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,765
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,419
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,600National median$45,10075th percentile$50,335
39 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
44 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$58,569Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$31,4952Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas, TX · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$58,031Federal debt$18,987Annual net price$28,5163Carolina UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$56,995Federal debt$20,926Annual net price$20,8284Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$53,966Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$26,0055Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$53,497Federal debt$38,685Annual net price$22,8666Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$53,497Federal debt$38,685Annual net price$16,8987University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$51,761Federal debt$24,500Annual net price$27,7058Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$51,475Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,6309Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,342Federal debt$13,097Annual net price$22,22110Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,335Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$21,57411Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,776Federal debt$30,332Annual net price$19,92312Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,762Federal debt$18,114Annual net price$22,13013Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,516Federal debt$38,582Annual net price$15,67614Clear Creek Baptist Bible CollegePineville, KY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,375Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$10,94915Trinity Bible College and Graduate SchoolEllendale, ND · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,009Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,35916Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$46,800Federal debt$26,574Annual net price$26,67217Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$46,756Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$20,89818Manhattan Christian CollegeManhattan, KS · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$45,100Federal debt$25,250Annual net price$24,21319Kentucky Christian UniversityGrayson, KY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$44,862Federal debt$28,750Annual net price$24,03820Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$44,718Federal debt$32,084Annual net price$25,48021Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryKansas City, MO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$44,420Federal debt$23,385Annual net price$23,00622Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$44,270Federal debt$51,000Annual net price$29,50023Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$43,808Federal debt$30,875Annual net price$21,66224Central Baptist CollegeConway, AR · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$43,057Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,28725Ozark Christian CollegeJoplin, MO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$40,548Federal debt$23,500Annual net price$20,580
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Biola University$58,5692Dallas Baptist University$58,0313Carolina University$56,9954Maranatha Baptist University$53,9665Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion$53,4976Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global$53,4977University of Northwestern-St Paul$51,7618Fresno Pacific University$51,4759Moody Bible Institute$50,34210Freed-Hardeman University$50,335Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Directors, Religious Activities and EducationSOC 21-2021 · 1 crosswalk linksPhilosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1126 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biola UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Mirada, CA | $58,569 | $27,000 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Dallas Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dallas, TX | $58,031 | $18,987 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Carolina UniversityBachelor's Degree | Winston-Salem, NC | $56,995 | $20,926 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Maranatha Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Watertown, WI | $53,966 | Not available | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionBachelor's Degree | Marion, IN | $53,497 | $38,685 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalBachelor's Degree | Marion, IN | $53,497 | $38,685 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | University of Northwestern-St PaulBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $51,761 | $24,500 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Fresno Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $51,475 | Not available | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Moody Bible InstituteBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $50,342 | $13,097 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Freed-Hardeman UniversityBachelor's Degree | Henderson, TN | $50,335 | $25,000 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Regent UniversityBachelor's Degree | Virginia Beach, VA | $48,776 | $30,332 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Harding UniversityBachelor's Degree | Searcy, AR | $48,762 | $18,114 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Belhaven UniversityBachelor's Degree | Jackson, MS | $48,516 | $38,582 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Clear Creek Baptist Bible CollegeBachelor's Degree | Pineville, KY | $48,375 | Not available | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Trinity Bible College and Graduate SchoolBachelor's Degree | Ellendale, ND | $48,009 | Not available | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Crown CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Bonifacius, MN | $46,800 | $26,574 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Life Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Dimas, CA | $46,756 | $27,000 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Manhattan Christian CollegeBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $45,100 | $25,250 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Kentucky Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Grayson, KY | $44,862 | $28,750 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Lancaster Bible CollegeBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, PA | $44,718 | $32,084 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryBachelor's Degree | Kansas City, MO | $44,420 | $23,385 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Colorado Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lakewood, CO | $44,270 | $51,000 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Nelson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waxahachie, TX | $43,808 | $30,875 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Central Baptist CollegeBachelor's Degree | Conway, AR | $43,057 | Not available | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Ozark Christian CollegeBachelor's Degree | Joplin, MO | $40,548 | $23,500 | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | North Greenville UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tigerville, SC | $40,334 | $26,000 | -118% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Johnson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $39,600 | $24,375 | -120% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Point UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Point, GA | $38,672 | Not available | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Columbia International UniversityBachelor's Degree | Columbia, SC | $38,117 | $21,500 | -124% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Boston Baptist CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $37,547 | $22,250 | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | SUM Bible College and Theological SeminaryBachelor's Degree | El Dorado Hills, CA | $36,973 | $29,299 | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Davis CollegeBachelor's Degree | Pottersville, NY | $36,947 | $27,000 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Northpoint Bible CollegeBachelor's Degree | Haverhill, MA | $35,108 | $27,000 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Appalachian Bible CollegeBachelor's Degree | Mount Hope, WV | $28,980 | $12,865 | -171% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Elizabeth City, NC | $26,873 | $23,422 | -172% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Azusa Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Azusa, CA | Not available | $23,907 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $22,212 |
| 37 | Luther Rice College & SeminaryBachelor's Degree | Lithonia, GA | Not available | $36,730 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $27,883 |
| 38 | Trinity College of JacksonvilleBachelor's Degree | Jacksonville, FL | Not available | $26,115 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $20,011 |
| 39 | Wheaton CollegeBachelor's Degree | Wheaton, IL | Not available | $23,147 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $26,975 |
| 40 | Grace College and Theological SeminaryBachelor's Degree | Winona Lake, IN | Not available | $23,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $19,932 |
| 41 | Grace Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wyoming, MI | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $12,404 |
| 42 | Cedarville UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cedarville, OH | Not available | $25,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $24,468 |
| 43 | Lee UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cleveland, TN | Not available | $28,042 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $18,878 |
| 44 | Carolina College of Biblical StudiesBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, NC | Not available | $24,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $21,322 |
| 45 | Saint Louis Christian CollegeBachelor's Degree | , | $53,494 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 46 | Multnomah UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $46,617 | $23,404 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 47 | Clarks Summit UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $39,731 | $19,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 48 | Johnson University FloridaBachelor's Degree | , | $39,600 | $24,375 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.