Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries at Lee University

Lee University's Pastoral Counseling program delivers earnings that outperform most competitors in Tennessee, landing at the 60th percentile statewide and 73rd percentile nationally. First-year graduates earn $35,189—about $2,600 above Tennessee's median for this field and $3,000 above the national median. Perhaps more importantly, earnings grow to $37,581 by year four, while debt remains relatively modest at $28,750. That 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are borrowing less than one year's salary, which is manageable territory for a ministry-focused degree.

The practical reality here is that pastoral counseling leads to helping professions with inherently modest pay, so context matters. These graduates are earning more than three-quarters of their national peers while taking on debt levels below the 25th percentile nationally. The 7% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests stable career progression rather than the stagnation you sometimes see in ministry fields. For students genuinely called to this vocation, Lee provides solid preparation without the crushing debt burden that could derail a ministry career before it starts. The program won't lead to six-figure earnings, but it positions graduates for sustainable service in their chosen field.