Bible/Biblical Studies at Freed-Hardeman University

Freed-Hardeman's Biblical Studies graduates earn significantly more than typical Bible program graduates nationally—$44,142 versus a $33,918 median—placing them in the 94th percentile. The trajectory looks even better four years out, with earnings jumping to $64,039, a 45% increase that's unusual for ministry-focused degrees. Within Tennessee, however, this represents middle-of-the-pack performance (60th percentile), suggesting the program benefits from being in a relatively strong state for this field rather than offering unique advantages.

The $25,000 debt load equals both state and national medians, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. That means graduates carry less than seven months of their first-year salary in debt—manageable for a field often associated with lower compensation. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates either move into church leadership roles or pivot to adjacent careers that reward their skills.

The significant caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes likely vary widely. One or two high earners could be skewing the numbers upward. Still, if your child feels called to ministry and wants formal training, this program's combination of affordable debt and above-average earnings makes it a viable path—just recognize they're entering a field where compensation depends heavily on specific roles and church sizes rather than the degree alone.