Theology And Religious Vocations

Best Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 85 U.S. colleges offering Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 29 states.

Institutions
85
offering CIP 39.03
States offered
29
with a program page
With earnings data
8
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
1,191
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$28,103
1 year after graduation
US pay · Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$65,040
BLS OEWS 2024

About Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs

The Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology program focuses on the academic study of Christian mission history and methodology. Developed as a discipline in the 19th century, this program is designed for individuals interested in understanding and engaging in mission work both domestically and internationally.

Learn more about Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology

What you'll learn

Students will gain core skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, along with knowledge in philosophy, theology, and psychology. Coursework may include topics such as church planting and various aspects of missionary studies.

Top 8 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,3682848%$26,572$7,733
2Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,096643%$29,915$24,125
3North Greenville University
Tigerville, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$32,569955%$20,327$23,209
4Johnson University
Knoxville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$28,103757%$19,333$23,876
5Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$26,2365662%$24,848$15,000
6Bethany Global University
Bloomington, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$23,2727856%$20,841$19,635
7Ozark Christian College
Joplin, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$21,498664%$17,334
8Word of Life Bible Institute
Pottersville, NY Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,63841180%$12,373$12,000

Offered across 29 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Missouri5$39,368Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Florida4$33,096Southeastern University
South Carolina4$32,569North Greenville University
Tennessee5$28,103Johnson University
Illinois5$26,236Moody Bible Institute
Minnesota6$23,272Bethany Global University
New Yorklimited1$20,638Word of Life Bible Institute
Alabamalimited1
California7
Coloradolimited1
Georgia3
Idaholimited1
Indianalimited2
Iowa3
Kansaslimited1
Kentucky3
Louisianalimited1
Michigan3
Montanalimited1
North Carolinalimited2
North Dakotalimited1
Ohio4
Oklahoma4
Oregon3
Pennsylvania3
Texas5
Virginialimited2
Washingtonlimited1
Wisconsinlimited2

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2021, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, and its national outlook.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in religious education, mission work, and community outreach. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 13,800 annual openings. A typical educational requirement is a bachelor's degree, with a median wage of $54,840.

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
National employment
21,460
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
US average pay
$65,040
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$54,840
annual

Top-paying metros

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$100,280avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$90,120avg
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$88,370avg
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
$84,640avg
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
$83,570avg

Related careers

Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$65,040 avg · 21,460 jobs
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$88,210 avg · 20,840 jobs
Religious Workers, All Other
$49,830 avg · 12,170 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Speaking
Active Listening
Active Learning
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Learning Strategies
Writing
Monitoring

Knowledge areas

Philosophy and Theology
Education and Training
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Psychology
Therapy and Counseling

What graduates do on the job

  • Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
  • Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
  • Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
  • Schedule special events, such as camps, conferences, meetings, seminars, or retreats.
  • Counsel individuals regarding interpersonal, health, financial, or religious problems.
  • Collaborate with other ministry members to establish goals and objectives for religious education programs or to develop ways to encourage program participation.

Tools & technology

Adobe PhotoshopDatabase softwareEmail softwareEvent scheduling softwareFacebookGoogle Workspace softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Excel

Concentrations within Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Missions/Missionary Studies
    CIP 39.0301

    A program that focuses on the theory and practice of religious outreach, social service and proselytization, and that prepares individuals for mission vocations

  • Church Planting
    CIP 39.0302

    A program of study that prepares individuals to establish congregations of Christians in new locations

  • Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Other
    CIP 39.0399

    Any instructional program in missions, missionary studies, and missiology not listed above.

Common questions

What is Missiology?+

Missiology is the academic study of Christian mission history and methodology.

What skills will I learn in this program?+

You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.

What careers can I pursue with this degree?+

You can pursue careers in religious education, mission work, and community outreach.

What is the job outlook for this field?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and 13,800 annual openings.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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