Pastoral Counseling at Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,407/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (21% exposed)
Job Market Large (70,400 openings/yr)
ROI 5.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #13 of 22 Pastoral Counseling programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Pastoral Counseling graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $435K $437K $419K
Earnings Multiple 5.3x 5.3x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 51% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 31
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$82,744
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,996
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,800
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,738
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Regent University's Pastoral Counseling program produces graduates earning $33,407/yr — within striking distance of the $31,976 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Pastoral Counseling's typical career paths, with 21% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,800 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,407 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #13 of 22 Pastoral Counseling programs, Regent University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Regent University

Regent University's 41% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,282 students in Virginia Beach, VA. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Regent University →

Top Career Paths

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary $78,050/yr
Clergy $60,820/yr
Community and social service specialists, all other $54,940/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Pastoral Counseling at Other Schools

Other Majors at Regent University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Pastoral Counseling at Regent University?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Pastoral Counseling. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →