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Theology · Missionary Studies Rank #7 of 8

Missionary Studiesat Moody Bible Institute

Graduates earn $26,236/yr in their first year — about 10.0% below the national Missionary Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $418K; scenarios range from $403K to $412K depending on AI disruption.

Chicago, IL Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
17 AT RISK
17
Optimistic
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,236
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$418K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
42% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute's Missions program is highly specialized, attracting students deeply committed to service-oriented careers within faith-based organizations. The career paths you see reflect this focus: roles in teaching, religious education, and general religious work, often within non-profit structures or international missions. These fields typically prioritize vocational calling over high financial compensation, which explains why the earnings trajectory is lower than many other degrees.

Graduates often find placement through established pipelines within specific denominations, mission agencies, or parachurch organizations globally. Your success will heavily depend on networking within these communities and aligning with an organization's mission and funding model. The noted AI risk isn't about automating faith itself, but rather the administrative, content creation, and logistical support roles common in religious organizations, which could see disruption. Before committing, thoroughly research the specific organizations you hope to join, understand their funding models, and determine if their compensation aligns with your financial needs and long-term goals.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$403K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple6.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$418K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score17/100
Earnings Multiple6.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$412K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score17/100
Earnings Multiple6.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Moody Bible Institute's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Missionary Studies graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$78,050/yr
High
2
Directors, religious activities and education
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 13,800 openings/yr
$54,840/yr
Moderate
3
Religious workers, all other
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 11,100 openings/yr
$45,120/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Missionary Studies

How Moody Bible Institute stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
MO · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Southeastern University
FL · Private nonprofit
23
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
North Greenville University
SC · Private nonprofit
24
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Johnson University Florida
FL · Private nonprofit
21
DW Score
$28K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Johnson University
TN · Private nonprofit
20
DW Score
$28K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Also at Moody Bible Institute

Other top programs at Moody Bible Institute

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Moody Bible Institute, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Missionary Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Missionary Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Missionary Studies at Moody Bible Institute

How does Moody Bible Institute's Missionary Studies program score?

This program scores 17/100 — on the lower end for Missionary Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Missionary Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Missionary Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 32% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.