Illinois · Bible/Biblical Studies

Best colleges for Bible/Biblical Studies in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

Moody Bible Institute, Trinity International University - Illinois and Wheaton College award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois: 122, 12 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Illinois colleges offer Bible/Biblical Studies and award 153 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Bible/Biblical Studies program focuses on the academic exploration of the Bible through various disciplines, including history, theology, and literary criticism. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 39.02
States offered
43
with a program page
Degrees / yr
153
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,986
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,539
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$61,620
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Moody Bible Institute
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,11412262%$24,848$13,097
2Wheaton College
Wheaton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$29,9861285%$23,461$23,147

Colleges awarding the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees in Illinois

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Moody Bible Institute
Chicago Private not-for-profit
122$35,114
2Trinity International University - Illinois
Deerfield Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
3Wheaton College
Wheaton Private not-for-profit
12$29,986
4North Park University
Chicago Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
5Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Bible/Biblical Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Catholic Theological Union at Chicago (Graduate only)ChicagoPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Directors, Religious Activities and Education (SOC 21-2021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~13,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$54,840
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningActive LearningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingLearning Strategies

What Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$61,620
median $53,600
Best-paying metro
$61,520
Peoria, IL

Related careers

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$80,660 avg · 1,080 jobs
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$61,620

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Bible/Biblical Studies programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees?+

Moody Bible Institute (122 graduates a year), Trinity International University - Illinois (12 graduates a year) and Wheaton College (12 graduates a year) award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Illinois colleges offer Bible/Biblical Studies.

Which Bible/Biblical Studies program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Moody Bible Institute tops the list at $35,114. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education in Illinois is $61,620 (median $53,600). Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Bible/Biblical Studies program?+

The Bible/Biblical Studies program focuses on the academic exploration of the Bible through various disciplines, including history, theology, and literary criticism. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, active learning, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Directors, Religious Activities and Education?+

The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 13,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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