Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at Bethany Global University

Bethany Global University graduates in this program earn $23,272 their first year out—about $5,000 below the national median for missionary studies programs. That 13th percentile national ranking looks alarming at first, but here's the surprising context: this is actually the median outcome for Minnesota's missionary studies programs. With only five schools offering this degree in the state, Bethany sits right in the middle of the local market, suggesting these modest earnings may reflect regional ministry compensation patterns rather than program quality issues.

The debt load is relatively manageable at $19,635, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under a year if they devoted their entire salary to it—an uncomfortable but not impossible proposition. The debt is also below both national and state medians for this field. For context, many ministry-focused careers prioritize calling over compensation, and nearly half of Bethany's students receive Pell grants, indicating this serves students from lower-income backgrounds who may be entering ministry specifically to serve under-resourced communities.

The key question is whether your child understands they're choosing a vocation with inherently modest financial returns. If they're committed to missionary work and can live frugally or have additional support systems, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But if they're uncertain about the ministry path, they should know these earnings will make financial independence challenging.