Theological and Ministerial Studies at The King's University

The numbers here tell a difficult story: graduates earn $29,593 their first year while carrying nearly $49,000 in debt—almost double their starting salary. That debt load is exceptionally high compared to other theology programs nationwide (95th percentile), while earnings lag behind most Texas peers. Among the 21 schools offering this program in Texas, this one ranks in the bottom quartile for earnings, coming in $9,000 below the state median of $38,687. Some Texas theology programs, like College of Biblical Studies-Houston, place graduates earning 60% more.

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of outcomes could skew these figures significantly. But even accounting for statistical noise, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.66 represents a challenging financial start for graduates entering traditionally lower-paid ministry work. Theology degrees rarely lead to high-paying careers in the first years, making this level of borrowing particularly concerning.

If your child is committed to ministry, compare this carefully against other Texas options where graduates typically carry less debt and earn more. The 100% admission rate suggests this school may not be highly selective about who takes on these loans. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend here—specific mentors, denominational fit, or scholarship offers that dramatically reduce borrowing—stronger alternatives exist within the state.