Theological and Ministerial Studies at Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute's graduates start modestly at $33,488 but reach $44,574 by year four—a 33% jump that outpaces typical ministry career trajectories. More importantly, they carry just $14,000 in debt, roughly half the national median for theology programs and well below Illinois' $18,625 median. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are paying less than half a year's salary over time, manageable even on ministry income.

The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Illinois theology programs, ahead of competitors like Lincoln Christian University, despite serving a student body where a third qualify for Pell grants. Ministry work notoriously pays less than other professional fields, but these graduates are reaching the mid-$40s by their late twenties—respectable for a calling-driven field where compensation isn't the primary motivator.

The real advantage here is the debt picture. With nearly universal admission (98%), Moody keeps costs contained while delivering earnings that exceed state and national medians. For families committed to vocational ministry, this combination of low debt burden and steady income growth makes this a practical path. Your child won't get wealthy, but they won't be crushed by debt either—a crucial distinction for careers in service-oriented fields.