Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Indiana Wesleyan's pastoral counseling associate program shows graduates earning less four years out than in their first year—dropping from $35,736 to $29,861. While that first-year number ranks at the national 95th percentile, it's actually just the median for Indiana (60th percentile statewide), suggesting this reflects regional ministry pay scales rather than exceptional program outcomes. The small sample size makes it hard to know if that 16% earnings decline is a pattern or statistical noise, but it's a red flag worth investigating.

The $26,338 debt load is quite manageable by national standards (5th percentile), and the 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable—at least initially. However, if earnings continue trending downward after year four, graduates could find themselves with limited income mobility while still managing student loans. Ministry and counseling work often requires additional credentials beyond an associate degree, which could mean either more debt or accepting entry-level church positions with compressed pay ceilings.

For families considering this path, understand you're looking at likely income in the low $30,000s with limited growth prospects. The debt is reasonable, but this should probably be viewed as a stepping stone toward further education rather than a terminal degree. If your student is committed to ministry work, verify whether this associate degree actually positions them for the roles they envision, or if they'll need a bachelor's or master's anyway.