Theological and Ministerial Studies at Southeastern University

Southeastern University's theological studies program achieves something unusual: graduates earn at the national median while carrying significantly less debt than typical. With $16,000 in student loans compared to the national median of $18,938, students here graduate with about $3,000 less debt burden than peers at other programs—a meaningful difference when starting ministry careers that rarely offer high salaries.

The 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio tells a practical story. A graduate earning $27,591 could manage monthly loan payments of roughly $180 under standard repayment terms, which amounts to about 8% of gross income. That's manageable territory for someone entering ministry work, where financial margins are typically thin. Among Florida's limited options for associate-level theological training, this program sits right at the state median for both earnings and debt, so you're not sacrificing financial outcomes by choosing a private Christian university over public alternatives.

The caveat: these are ministry-track earnings, which means your child should enter this field with realistic expectations about compensation. But if they're committed to this path, Southeastern positions them to pursue that calling without the crushing debt load that could force them into secular work to stay afloat financially. For families prioritizing faith-based education with fiscal responsibility, this represents solid value.