Bible/Biblical Studies
What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.
Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)
Best Schools for Bible/Biblical Studies by Earnings
School-by-school analysis: Bible/Biblical Studies
Editorial breakdowns of how bible/biblical studies graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.
Bible/Biblical Studies is Carolina University's strongest reported program, with 10 graduates and surprisingly strong outcomes - $39,834 first-year earnings rising to $56,995 by year four. Median debt of $20,926 produces a 0.525 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade. These earnings likely reflect graduates moving into denominational pastoral roles, religious nonprofits, and ministry leadership rather than secular labor markets. Career paths are narrow but apparently viable for committed graduates.
Bible/Biblical Studies shows $53,966 at year four for 8 graduates, with no year-one data or debt figures reported. The four-year figure is higher than expected for a ministry track, possibly reflecting small sample composition effects. Scorecard data for programs this small is highly volatile. Students entering Bible Studies at Maranatha are primarily pursuing vocational ministry, and financial ROI is not the primary decision driver for this population.
Bible/Biblical Studies is the largest program by far at 167 graduates earning $41,123 in year one and $51,761 by year four against $24,500 debt - a 0.596 debt-to-earnings ratio and C grade. Reasonable earnings for a ministry-track credential reflect graduates moving into church staff, parachurch, and Christian-nonprofit administration roles. PSLF eligibility helps debt management.
Bible/Biblical Studies (45 graduates) earns $35,114 year one and $50,342 at year four, with a B grade (debt-to-earnings 0.373) and median debt of $13,097. The four-year earnings figure of $50k is higher than most Moody programs, potentially reflecting students who move into educational or para-church administrative roles. Debt is low and the ratio is manageable relative to the earnings trajectory.
Bible/Biblical Studies graduates 22 students with first-year earnings of $44,142 - unusually strong for a religion major, reflecting the Church of Christ ministry pipeline and youth ministry positions that Freed-Hardeman feeds. Median debt of $25,000 produces a 0.566 ratio and a C ROI grade. Students entering this major typically have ministry vocations in mind and accept the earnings tradeoff; the program delivers reasonable economics within that mission.
Is Bible/Biblical Studies Worth It?
Proceed With a Plan
Be honest with yourself about the money on Bible/Biblical Studies. At an average $36,184 four years out, the payback can be long, especially at a pricey school. That doesn't make the field a mistake - it means the cost side has to be managed tightly, so lean toward low debt.
This is a more specialized field, offered at 40 schools in our data. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so weigh each aid offer closely.
The top earner here is Maranatha Baptist University, where graduates pull $53,966 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.
Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.