Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology: 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 4 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology pays
Career outlook for Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates
The job market for the occupations Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology 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 |
| Religious workers, all other | 88,400 | +0.6% | $45,120 | 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.
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology vs similar majors
How Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology 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.
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Theology & Religious Vocations · this major | Theological and Ministerial Studies | Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | Religious Education | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 16 F | 35 D | 29 F | 21 F |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Break-even | Poor return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $30,377 | $60,227 | $56,863 | $47,024 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $23,437 | $48,242 | $46,800 | $35,838 |
| ROI vs cost | -290% | +75% | +38% | -75% |
| Typical debt | $13,125 | $41,317 | $38,724 | $28,193 |
| Colleges offering it | 4 | 132 | 14 | 17 |
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology 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 Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
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 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL | Associate's | $32,458 | $14,250 | -353% | Poor return |
| 2 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL | Associate's | $30,171 | — | -458% | Poor return |
| 3 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Associate's | $26,001 | — | -524% | Poor return |
| 4 | Word of Life Bible Institute Pottersville, NY | Certificate | $32,879 | $12,000 | -742% | 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.