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BACHELOR'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 3906

Theological and Ministerial Studies: is this bachelor's degree worth it?

National picture across 38 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$254,450 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.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

111.1 yrsModeled economic break-even

−91%Modeled 10-year ROI

$47,518Observed earnings · year 4

Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff

Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it

A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Theological and Ministerial Studies

How much do Theological and Ministerial Studies bachelor's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $47,518 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $25,838. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Theological and Ministerial Studies?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $42,322 to $52,385 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Theological and Ministerial Studies?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 3 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →

$0Annual price−$154,825

$8,000Annual price−$186,825

$16,000Annual price−$218,825

$24,000Current college-wide context−$250,825

$25,000Current college-wide context−$254,825

$32,000Annual price−$282,825

$40,000Annual price−$314,825

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$47,518Median reported earnings · year 4

$51,549Average reported earnings · year 5

$25,838Median federal debt

15thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

2IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges

26With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 7 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

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: $29,038
Federal debt: $18,054
Reporting programs: 2

2 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $45,166
Federal debt: $18,938
Reporting programs: 3

3 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $47,518
Federal debt: $25,838
Reporting programs: 38

26 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $60,457
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 100

100 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings: $73,457
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 14

14 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

First Professional Degree

Year-4 earnings: $63,549
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 11

11 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $55,739
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

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$42,322National median$47,51875th percentile$52,385

26 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.

$52,38575th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs

$25,750Median federal debt across programs that report it

2Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median

PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$54,758Observed year-4 earnings$38,859

Colorado Christian University$29,500 price · $58,775 earnings Concordia University-Nebraska$23,965 price · $58,162 earnings University of Notre Dame$26,780 price · $54,758 earnings The King's University$14,140 price · $54,618 earnings Palm Beach Atlantic University$28,354 price · $53,398 earnings Northwest University$22,288 price · $52,385 earnings Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education$35,671 price · $52,385 earnings Hope International University$29,310 price · $50,647 earnings Seattle Pacific University$24,488 price · $50,557 earnings University of Dallas$22,610 price · $49,564 earnings University of Northwestern-St Paul$27,705 price · $47,802 earnings The Master's University and Seminary$32,647 price · $47,403 earnings University of Valley Forge$32,265 price · $46,072 earnings Oral Roberts University$25,365 price · $45,360 earnings Southeastern University$31,942 price · $44,106 earnings Corban University$28,035 price · $43,303 earnings Ave Maria University$24,860 price · $42,457 earnings Baptist University of Florida$10,372 price · $42,322 earnings Lee University$18,878 price · $40,791 earnings Martin Luther College$18,463 price · $39,949 earnings Franciscan University of Steubenville$23,589 price · $39,091 earnings Moody Bible Institute$22,221 price · $38,907 earnings Carolina University$20,828 price · $38,859 earnings Benedictine College$27,891 price · $36,829 earnings

$14,140Annual college-wide average net price$32,265

Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →

Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

StateCollege typeMaximum federal debtSort by

35 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges

1Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$58,775Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$29,500

2Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$58,162Federal debt$27,750Annual net price$23,965

3Nazarene Bible CollegeColorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$56,855Federal debt$40,332Annual net priceNot available

4University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$54,758Federal debt$19,000Annual net price$26,780

5The King's UniversitySouthlake, TX · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$54,618Federal debt$48,998Annual net price$14,140

6Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$53,398Federal debt$25,750Annual net price$28,354

7Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$52,385Federal debt$26,453Annual net price$22,288

8Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationKirkland, WA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$52,385Federal debt$26,453Annual net price$35,671

9Hope International UniversityFullerton, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,647Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$29,310

10Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,557Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$24,488

11University of DallasIrving, TX · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$49,564Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$22,610

12University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$47,802Federal debt$22,000Annual net price$27,705

13The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$47,403Federal debt$23,774Annual net price$32,647

14University of Valley ForgePhoenixville, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$46,072Federal debt$28,000Annual net price$32,265

15Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$45,360Federal debt$30,750Annual net price$25,365

16Southeastern UniversityLakeland, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$44,106Federal debt$23,218Annual net price$31,942

17Corban UniversitySalem, OR · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$43,303Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$28,035

18Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$42,457Federal debt$21,102Annual net price$24,860

19Baptist University of FloridaGraceville, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$42,322Federal debt$24,916Annual net price$10,372

20Lee UniversityCleveland, TN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$40,791Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,878

21Martin Luther CollegeNew Ulm, MN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$39,949Federal debt$18,949Annual net price$18,463

22Franciscan University of SteubenvilleSteubenville, OH · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$39,091Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$23,589

23Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$38,907Federal debt$14,000Annual net price$22,221

24Carolina UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$38,859Federal debt$35,382Annual net price$20,828

25Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$36,829Federal debt$23,250Annual net price$27,891

Open the full program search →

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Colorado Christian University$58,775 2Concordia University-Nebraska$58,162 3Nazarene Bible College$56,855 4University of Notre Dame$54,758 5The King's University$54,618 6Palm Beach Atlantic University$53,398 7Northwest University$52,385 8Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education$52,385 9Hope International University$50,647 10Seattle Pacific University$50,557

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Higher median wage ↑

-7%Projected employment growth →12%

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$80,260 median wage20,460 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1126+2.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$49,140–$139,580 10th–90th percentileClergy$60,810 median wage57,200 U.S. jobs · SOC 21-2011+2.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 19.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$37,860–$98,890 10th–90th percentileReligious Workers, All Other$45,280 median wage15,760 U.S. jobs · SOC 21-2099+1.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 12.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$31,200–$93,900 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR THEOLOGICAL AND MINISTERIAL STUDIES

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	Colorado Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree	Lakewood, CO	$58,775	Not available	-54%	Negative payoff
2	Concordia University-NebraskaBachelor's Degree	Seward, NE	$58,162	$27,750	-52%	Negative payoff
3	Nazarene Bible CollegeBachelor's Degree	Colorado Springs, CO	$56,855	$40,332	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	Not available
4	University of Notre DameBachelor's Degree	Notre Dame, IN	$54,758	$19,000	-66%	Negative payoff
5	The King's UniversityBachelor's Degree	Southlake, TX	$54,618	$48,998	-59%	Negative payoff
6	Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityBachelor's Degree	West Palm Beach, FL	$53,398	$25,750	-71%	Negative payoff
7	Northwest UniversityBachelor's Degree	Kirkland, WA	$52,385	$26,453	-73%	Negative payoff
8	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationBachelor's Degree	Kirkland, WA	$52,385	$26,453	-77%	Negative payoff
9	Hope International UniversityBachelor's Degree	Fullerton, CA	$50,647	Not available	-81%	Negative payoff
10	Seattle Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree	Seattle, WA	$50,557	Not available	-80%	Negative payoff
11	University of DallasBachelor's Degree	Irving, TX	$49,564	Not available	-83%	Negative payoff
12	University of Northwestern-St PaulBachelor's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$47,802	$22,000	-90%	Negative payoff
13	The Master's University and SeminaryBachelor's Degree	Santa Clarita, CA	$47,403	$23,774	-92%	Negative payoff
14	University of Valley ForgeBachelor's Degree	Phoenixville, PA	$46,072	$28,000	-97%	Negative payoff
15	Oral Roberts UniversityBachelor's Degree	Tulsa, OK	$45,360	$30,750	-99%	Negative payoff
16	Southeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree	Lakeland, FL	$44,106	$23,218	-103%	Negative payoff
17	Corban UniversityBachelor's Degree	Salem, OR	$43,303	Not available	-106%	Negative payoff
18	Ave Maria UniversityBachelor's Degree	Ave Maria, FL	$42,457	$21,102	-109%	Negative payoff
19	Baptist University of FloridaBachelor's Degree	Graceville, FL	$42,322	$24,916	-112%	Negative payoff
20	Lee UniversityBachelor's Degree	Cleveland, TN	$40,791	Not available	-116%	Negative payoff
21	Martin Luther CollegeBachelor's Degree	New Ulm, MN	$39,949	$18,949	-120%	Negative payoff
22	Franciscan University of SteubenvilleBachelor's Degree	Steubenville, OH	$39,091	$25,000	-122%	Negative payoff
23	Moody Bible InstituteBachelor's Degree	Chicago, IL	$38,907	$14,000	-123%	Negative payoff
24	Carolina UniversityBachelor's Degree	Winston-Salem, NC	$38,859	$35,382	-123%	Negative payoff
25	Benedictine CollegeBachelor's Degree	Atchison, KS	$36,829	$23,250	-128%	Negative payoff
26	William Jessup UniversityBachelor's Degree	Rocklin, CA	Not available	$21,566	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$28,062
27	Point UniversityBachelor's Degree	West Point, GA	Not available	$44,023	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$25,335
28	Concordia University Ann ArborBachelor's Degree	Ann Arbor, MI	Not available	$25,926	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$32,811
29	Cornerstone UniversityBachelor's Degree	Grand Rapids, MI	Not available	$43,009	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$20,301
30	Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityBachelor's Degree	Bartlesville, OK	Not available	$29,168	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$28,358
31	Johnson UniversityBachelor's Degree	Knoxville, TN	Not available	$23,250	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$22,063
32	Concordia University-WisconsinBachelor's Degree	Mequon, WI	Not available	$25,926	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$36,201
33	Universidad Adventista de las AntillasBachelor's Degree	Mayaguez, PR	Not available	$31,000	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$9,919
34	Mid-America Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree	Oklahoma City, OK	Not available	$41,422	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$16,692
35	College of Biblical Studies-HoustonBachelor's Degree	Houston, TX	Not available	$22,673	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	$672
36	Lincoln Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree	,	$47,632	$23,250	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	Not available
37	Johnson University FloridaBachelor's Degree	,	Not available	$23,250	WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive	Not available
38	Alliance UniversityBachelor's Degree	,	Not available	$31,749	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.