Bible/Biblical Studies at Cedarville University

Cedarville's Biblical Studies program produces graduates earning $42,572 their first year out—$8,600 more than the typical Bible studies graduate nationally. That's a significant premium, ranking in the 87th percentile nationally for this degree. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably in either direction with just a few data points.

The $25,000 median debt sits right at the national average for this field, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. Your child would owe roughly 7 months of their first-year salary—not negligible, but far from the crushing burden some graduates face. Within Ohio, this program performs at the median for both earnings and debt, though only seven schools in the state offer this degree, making direct comparisons limited.

The real question is whether Biblical Studies aligns with your child's career goals. This degree typically leads to ministry, nonprofit work, or religious education—fields where passion often matters more than salary maximization. If that's their calling, Cedarville appears to prepare graduates better than most programs. But with the data coming from such a small cohort, verify current placement rates and career outcomes directly with the department before committing.