Bible/Biblical Studies: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 53 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Bible/Biblical Studies pays
Career outlook for Bible/Biblical Studies graduates
The job market for the occupations Bible/Biblical Studies graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors, religious activities and education | 138,900 | +2.1% | $54,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary | 27,300 | +0.7% | $78,050 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Bible/Biblical Studies vs similar majors
How Bible/Biblical Studies stacks up against the closest fields in Theology & Religious Vocations on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Bible/Biblical Studies Theology & Religious Vocations · this major | Theological and Ministerial Studies | Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | Religious Education | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 19 F | 35 D | 29 F | 21 F |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Break-even | Poor return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $41,879 | $60,227 | $56,863 | $47,024 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $34,801 | $48,242 | $46,800 | $35,838 |
| ROI vs cost | -139% | +75% | +38% | -75% |
| Typical debt | $24,791 | $41,317 | $38,724 | $28,193 |
| Colleges offering it | 53 | 132 | 14 | 17 |
Bible/Biblical Studies earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Bible/Biblical Studies
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO | Associate's | $64,604 | $43,750 | +162% | Strong return |
| 2 | Criswell College Dallas, TX | Associate's | $54,967 | — | +130% | Strong return |
| 3 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA | Associate's | $53,845 | — | +68% | Strong return |
| 4 | Point University West Point, GA | Certificate | $48,984 | — | +57% | Break-even |
| 5 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, IN | Associate's | $51,014 | $31,740 | +33% | Break-even |
| 6 | Harding University Searcy, AR | Associate's | $50,841 | $19,913 | +13% | Break-even |
| 7 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN | Associate's | $51,014 | $31,740 | +5% | Break-even |
| 8 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX | Associate's | $49,072 | $17,163 | -36% | Poor return |
| 9 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX | Certificate | $46,944 | $26,500 | -38% | Poor return |
| 10 | Biola University La Mirada, CA | Associate's | $49,524 | $27,000 | -38% | Poor return |
| 11 | North Greenville University Tigerville, SC | Associate's | $47,676 | $22,619 | -47% | Poor return |
| 12 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TX | Associate's | $47,625 | $29,618 | -52% | Poor return |
| 13 | Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC | Associate's | $46,906 | $24,250 | -58% | Poor return |
| 14 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL | Associate's | $46,742 | $12,690 | -65% | Poor return |
| 15 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN | Certificate | $46,395 | — | -83% | Poor return |
| 16 | Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN | Associate's | $45,833 | $23,884 | -84% | Poor return |
| 17 | Luther Rice College & Seminary Lithonia, GA | Associate's | $45,293 | $30,955 | -96% | Poor return |
| 18 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA | Associate's | $44,862 | $22,048 | -103% | Poor return |
| 19 | Kentucky Christian University Grayson, KY | Associate's | $44,805 | $27,375 | -103% | Poor return |
| 20 | Lee University Cleveland, TN | Associate's | $44,671 | — | -109% | Poor return |
| 21 | Northpoint Bible College Haverhill, MA | Associate's | $43,994 | $27,000 | -118% | Poor return |
| 22 | Biola University La Mirada, CA | Certificate | $40,757 | $29,727 | -131% | Poor return |
| 23 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN | Associate's | $43,475 | — | -138% | Poor return |
| 24 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN | Associate's | $42,545 | $22,375 | -140% | Poor return |
| 25 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL | Associate's | $42,261 | $22,250 | -144% | Poor return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.