Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries at Johnson University

Johnson University's Pastoral Counseling program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, with graduates earning $30,006 one year out—below both the national median ($32,226) and Tennessee's median ($32,598) for this field. At the 40th percentile statewide, it lags behind programs like Lee University, where graduates earn $35,189. The debt load of $26,750 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89, meaning graduates owe less than one year's salary, which is reasonable for ministry-focused careers that rarely command high starting salaries.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly with more data. Ministry careers also tend to offer non-monetary compensation like housing allowances and benefits that don't show up in earnings data, so the full financial picture may be better than raw salary suggests. Still, starting at $30,000 in a field where earnings growth is typically modest requires careful financial planning.

For families committed to specialized ministry work, this program delivers adequate preparation at a predictable cost. Just understand you're choosing a calling over a paycheck, and the numbers reflect that reality. If your child is exploring ministry as one option among several, comparing outcomes with general theology or education programs might reveal better financial flexibility.