Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at Southeastern University

With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers should come with asterisks—but the story they tell is surprisingly positive for a missions associate degree. Southeastern's $28,779 median earnings places this program at the 95th percentile nationally, though the fact that this also represents the national median (and the 75th percentile) reveals how limited this field's data really is. Among Florida's three schools offering this program, it hits the state median exactly. The modest $14,894 debt load translates to a 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable by most standards.

The real question is whether an associate degree in missions provides practical career preparation or primarily serves as a stepping stone to further ministry education. The nearly $29,000 earnings figure suggests graduates are finding employment—likely in church administration, nonprofit support roles, or parachurch organizations—rather than just volunteering. The low debt relative to earnings means students aren't mortgaging their futures for this credential.

For families committed to ministry work, this represents a relatively low-risk credential with contained costs. Just recognize that the small sample size means your child's experience could vary significantly from these figures, and this field generally offers limited earning potential regardless of where you study.