Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute's Missions program sits right at Illinois' median for first-year earnings at $26,236—not surprising given only five schools in the state offer this degree. The more striking number is the debt load: at $15,000, graduates carry about 35% less debt than the national median for missions programs, resulting in a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio. While $26,236 isn't a high starting salary by any measure, it's worth noting that missionary work often includes housing, stipends, or support-raising models that raw salary data doesn't capture.

The national earnings comparison is less favorable—32nd percentile means most missions programs lead to slightly higher starting salaries elsewhere. However, the significantly lower debt here matters more than the $2,000 earnings gap. For families specifically seeking missionary training, this program's financial structure (open admission, one-third of students on Pell grants, relatively low debt) suggests the institution is designed to be accessible rather than exclusive.

The practical reality: if your child is committed to vocational ministry or missionary work, graduating with $15,000 in debt instead of $23,000+ positions them better for a career path that often prioritizes calling over compensation. If they're uncertain about this vocational direction, the limited earnings potential—even compared to other missions programs—should factor heavily into the decision.