Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at Word of Life Bible Institute

Word of Life's missionary studies certificate delivers earnings that outpace 95% of similar programs nationally, though graduates start at just $20,638—barely above poverty level for a single person. The trajectory matters here: earnings jump 43% by year four to nearly $30,000, suggesting graduates may be building careers in ministry or nonprofit work where initial compensation is low but grows as they take on more responsibility. With debt under $12,000 and a ratio of 0.58, the financial burden is manageable even on missionary wages.

The caveat is what these numbers don't capture. Many graduates likely pursue unpaid or partially-supported missionary work where their "earnings" come through church support rather than W-2 income, meaning actual financial outcomes could look quite different from what federal data shows. The 39% Pell grant rate suggests Word of Life serves students from modest backgrounds who may be comfortable with the financial realities of ministry work.

If your child is committed to missionary work, this program won't trap them in debt. But be clear-eyed: even the four-year earnings figure barely covers basic living expenses in most U.S. cities. This makes financial sense only if mission work itself is the goal, not if it's meant as a stepping stone to something else.