Most Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs take one to two years to complete. Graduates start earning $28,103 right after finishing, climbing to $40,103 four years out.
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology is a focused area of study within Theology. Graduates typically earn around $40,103 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 126 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,490 students complete this program each year. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$28,103
Median Earnings · 4yr
$40,103
Colleges Offering
126
Graduates / Year
1,490
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,365
How Much Do Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Graduates Earn?
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates earn $40,103 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,327 and $55,233. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $28,103 climbs to $40,103 by year four.
$28,103
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$40,103
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$40,561
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$25,32725th pct.
$40,103Median
$55,23375th pct.
Is the Cost Worth It?
At median 4-year earnings of $40,103 and an estimated $89,460 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 8.9 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 110 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,490 students who complete Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs each year, the majority (30%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
30%29%21%
Certificate30%
Bachelor's29%
Master's21%
What Can You Do With a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Degree?
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Philosophy and Religion Teachers leads at $80,260/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
Top Colleges for Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Theology Programs
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology is one of 8 specializations within Theology. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Degree: Pros & Cons
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $28,103 at graduation to $40,103 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 15,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $40,103 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Long earnings breakevenAt median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 8.9 years.
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates earn?
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates earn a national median of $40,103 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,327 and $55,233. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree?
One year after graduation, Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree holders earn a median of $28,103. That climbs to $40,103 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree?
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree holders pursue careers including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, which pays a median of $80,260/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology program take?
Most Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology?
126 colleges and universities in the United States offer Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $40,103 and an average net price of roughly $22,365/yr, a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology and Theology?
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology is a focused concentration within the broader Theology field. The Theology major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates?
Employers hiring Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates?
The job outlook for Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Directors is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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