Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries at Taylor University

Taylor University's pastoral counseling graduates earn $37,035 in their first year—substantially above both the state median of $28,053 and the national median of $32,226 for this degree. That puts this program in the 86th percentile nationally, outperforming nearly every comparable program. Among Indiana schools with reported data, only Bethel comes close to Taylor's outcomes, while most produce significantly lower earnings.

The estimated debt of $23,319, drawn from similar Taylor programs, suggests a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio. If this estimate holds, graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary—a reasonable burden for a ministry-focused credential. For context, the national median debt for this degree is $26,750, so Taylor appears to be keeping costs below typical levels even as its graduates out-earn their peers.

The challenge here is that ministry careers often start modestly and depend heavily on individual calling and placement. While Taylor's strong earnings suggest its graduates are finding solid initial positions—likely in church roles, counseling centers, or ministry organizations—career trajectories in this field can vary widely based on denominational connections and geographic location. Given the program's unusually strong performance compared to peers, families comfortable with a ministry career path and the inherent income variability should find this a solid option, though the reliance on estimated debt figures means confirming actual costs directly with financial aid is essential.