Bible/Biblical Studies Degree

37 schools compared · Average earnings $33,741/yr

Students study the texts, languages, historical contexts, and theological interpretations of the Bible, including both Old and New Testament scholarship. Graduates typically pursue careers in pastoral ministry, religious education, nonprofit leadership, chaplaincy, and biblical archaeology, or continue to seminary. This major provides deep textual and historical knowledge for those called to religious vocations or scholarly study of sacred texts.

What Bible/Biblical Studies Graduates Do

Your deep understanding of scripture and theology prepares you for careers centered on community, education, and spiritual guidance. Many graduates become directors of religious activities and education. In this role, your days are a blend of management and ministry: you’ll develop curricula for youth programs, organize community outreach events, manage volunteers, and oversee budgets for a church or non-profit. You might start by leading a specific ministry, like youth or outreach, before progressing to oversee all educational programs for a large congregation.

A different path leads to academia as a postsecondary religion teacher, a highly competitive field requiring a graduate degree. This involves intensive research, writing scholarly articles, and lecturing college students. While job growth in academia is nearly flat, opportunities in religious administration are more stable. AI will have a moderate impact, automating significant chunks of routine work like drafting announcements or organizing research notes. This won’t replace you, but it will change your daily tasks, freeing you to focus on the uniquely human elements of your job: mentoring, building community, and providing spiritual counsel. Adaptability is key.

Schools Offering
37
Avg Grad Earnings
$33,741/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
25/100
AI Automation Risk
High
55% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Bible/Biblical Studies graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 15,800 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
$78,050
$61K$102K
2,000 +0.7% 51%
Directors, religious activities and education
$54,840
$42K$75K
13,800 +2.1% 44%
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
$78,050
$61K $102K
2,000 openings/yr +0.7% growth 51% AI risk
Directors, religious activities and education
$54,840
$42K $75K
13,800 openings/yr +2.1% growth 44% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Bible/Biblical Studies

Top 20 of 37 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Marion, IN
48
44–49
$46,674/yr 14.5x
2 Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO
40
37–41
$42,567/yr 10.3x
3 Harding University
Searcy, AR
37
33–38
$48,073/yr 4.1x
4 Blue Mountain Christian University
Blue Mountain, MS
35
32–36
$41,674/yr 4.4x
5 Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Marion, IN
34
30–35
$46,674/yr 3.1x
6 Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO
34
31–35
$39,272/yr 3.1x
7 Luther Rice College & Seminary
Lithonia, GA
34
33–35
$37,863/yr 9.7x
8 Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN
33
29–34
$44,142/yr 3.6x
9 Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
32
29–33
$42,572/yr 1.9x
10 Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, PA
30
27–31
$44,601/yr 2.5x
11 Central Baptist College
Conway, AR
29
28–30
$36,109/yr 3.6x
12 Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL
29
28–30
$35,114/yr 6.6x
13 Carolina University
Winston-Salem, NC
28
25–29
$39,834/yr 3.9x
14 Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, TX
27
26–27
$33,918/yr 5.4x
15 University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN
26
23–27
$41,123/yr 1.8x
16 Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX
25
23–26
$37,958/yr 2.2x
17 Manhattan Christian College
Manhattan, KS
24
22–24
$36,357/yr 3.1x
18 Grace Christian University
Wyoming, MI
24
24–24
$30,263/yr 4.0x
19 Biola University
La Mirada, CA
23
21–24
$37,518/yr 1.7x
20 Belhaven University
Jackson, MS
23
22–24
$35,275/yr 2.7x

Highest Earning Bible/Biblical Studies Programs

Schools where Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Bible/Biblical Studies

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Bible/Biblical Studies.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global 14.5x $46,674/yr 48
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 10.3x $42,567/yr 40
Luther Rice College & Seminary 9.7x $37,863/yr 34
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary 7.5x $26,407/yr 19
Northpoint Bible College 6.8x $26,859/yr 21
Moody Bible Institute 6.6x $35,114/yr 29
Mid-Atlantic Christian University 5.8x $11,491/yr 18
Ozark Christian College 5.5x $31,345/yr 23
Southwestern Assemblies of God University 5.4x $33,918/yr 27
Blue Mountain Christian University 4.4x $41,674/yr 35
Want to compare two Bible/Biblical Studies programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

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Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Bible/Biblical Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn?
Across 37 schools, Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn an average of $33,741 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $11,491 to $48,073 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Bible/Biblical Studies?
Bible/Biblical Studies is rated "High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 55% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Bible/Biblical Studies program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global ranks #1 for Bible/Biblical Studies with a score of 48/100 and graduate earnings of $46,674/yr.
What's the outlook for a Bible/Biblical Studies degree?
On average, Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn 4.2x their in-state tuition over 10 years. ROI varies significantly by school — choose carefully.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →