Bible/Biblical Studies at Central Baptist College

Central Baptist College's Bible/Biblical Studies program shows first-year earnings of $36,109—above the national median for this field but trailing other Arkansas programs by a notable margin. The state's leading program at Harding University produces graduates earning $48,000, and the Arkansas median sits at $42,091. This gap of roughly $6,000 annually adds up over time and deserves attention when comparing in-state options.

The estimated debt of $25,000 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69, meaning graduates would owe about 8 months of their first year's salary. That's reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree, though it's worth noting that comparable programs in Arkansas typically carry lower debt loads (around $18,000). The missing piece here is knowing whether Central Baptist's actual graduates fare better or worse than this estimate based on peer institutions.

For families committed to ministry preparation at a smaller Baptist institution, these numbers suggest a workable financial path—the debt isn't crushing and graduates do find employment. However, if flexibility matters and your child isn't certain about their calling, the earnings gap compared to other Arkansas Bible programs is significant enough to warrant visiting campuses and asking directly about job placement. Where do recent graduates actually work, and what are they earning two or three years out?