Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at North Greenville University

North Greenville's Missions/Missionary Studies graduates start at $32,569—about $4,500 above the national median for this field and ranking in the 74th percentile nationally. Within South Carolina's small cluster of missionary studies programs, it sits squarely at the median. The debt load of $23,209 translates to a 0.71 ratio, meaning graduates carry roughly eight months of their first year's salary in loans. That's manageable compared to many ministry-focused programs, where debt often outpaces initial earnings.

The more significant consideration here is the field itself. Missionary work typically involves service-oriented positions that don't prioritize compensation, and these starting salaries reflect that reality. Parents should understand they're evaluating a vocational program where financial return isn't the primary measure of success. The good news: North Greenville keeps debt reasonable given what graduates will earn, and its graduates appear to secure slightly better-paying positions than most peers in this field.

One important caveat: fewer than 30 students were tracked, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. For a family evaluating this program, the key question isn't whether it's a lucrative investment—it isn't—but whether North Greenville prepares students for ministry work without burying them in debt. By that measure, the balance looks reasonable for families committed to this calling.