UnisHub University Compass

Missionary Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for individuals committed to global religious engagement, this program explores the foundational principles and real-world applications of mission work across diverse cultural and geopolitical contexts. It equips learners with the theological, practical, and ethical frameworks necessary to serve effectively in international outreach, humanitarian efforts, and faith-based service initiatives.

  • Theology and Biblical Studies: In-depth exploration of core religious doctrines, scriptural interpretation, and theological traditions that inform mission practice and spiritual leadership.
  • Evangelism and Preaching: Training in culturally sensitive methods of religious communication, public proclamation, and pastoral messaging tailored to multicultural audiences.
  • Medical and Social Mission Work: Study of healthcare delivery, community development, and social welfare programs implemented in underserved regions through faith-based organizations.
  • Missionary Education: Development of pedagogical strategies for teaching religious and civic literacy in cross-cultural educational settings.
  • Missionary Aviation and Logistics: Instruction in air transport operations, remote area access, and logistical planning essential for mission deployment in isolated or challenging environments.
  • Emergency and Crisis Response: Preparation in disaster relief coordination, trauma support, and rapid deployment protocols during humanitarian emergencies.
  • International Law and Diplomacy: Examination of legal frameworks, visa regulations, immigration policies, and diplomatic relations affecting religious workers in foreign nations.
  • Ordination and Ministry Preparation: Structured guidance toward formal recognition and leadership roles within religious denominations, including rites, ethics, and pastoral responsibilities.

Missionary Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

1,235
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
85
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Missionary Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Missionary Studies degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary and Directors, Religious Activities and Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 42,300 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 $78,050 $47,550 - $134,910 20,840 N/A
Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 $54,840 $33,990 - $106,530 21,460 $26.37

Salary Comparison

Missionary Studies Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $38,790 in Montana to $90,280 in Maine—a 133% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, California, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 42,300 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Missionary Studies by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 84 institutions offering Missionary Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Missionary Studies is found at Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI) (411 graduates), Bethany Global University (BGU) (120 graduates), Fuller Theological Seminary (67 graduates), Columbia International University (CIU) (66 graduates), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) (62 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,235 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Admissions Location Control Website
Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
411 N/A Pottersville, New York Private wordoflife.edu
Bethany Global University (BGU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
120 N/A Bloomington, Minnesota Private bethanygu.edu
Fuller Theological Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (P)
67 N/A Pasadena, California Private fuller.edu
Columbia International University (CIU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
66 N/A Columbia, South Carolina Private ciu.edu
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
62 SAT: 1028-1203
ACT: 20-25
Louisville, Kentucky Private sbts.edu
Moody Bible Institute (MBI)
Associate's
Bachelor's
56 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private moody.edu
Wheaton College
Postbac Cert.
Master's
53 SAT: 1260-1440
ACT: 27-32
Wheaton, Illinois Private wheaton.edu
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
28 N/A Kansas City, Missouri Private mbts.edu
Asbury Theological Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (R)
19 N/A Wilmore, Kentucky Private asburyseminary.edu
Calvin Theological Seminary
Master's
19 N/A Grand Rapids, Michigan Private calvinseminary.edu
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
17 SAT: 920-1230
ACT: 18-26
Wake Forest, North Carolina Private sebts.edu
Colorado Christian University (CCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
15 N/A Lakewood, Colorado Private ccu.edu
Catholic Theological Union (CTU)
Postbac Cert.
15 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private ctu.edu
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
15 N/A New Orleans, Louisiana Private nobts.edu
Samford University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
13 SAT: 1070-1260
ACT: 23-29
Birmingham, Alabama Private samford.edu
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
Doctorate (R)
13 N/A Santa Fe Springs, California Private ch.ptsa.edu
Western Seminary
Master's
Doctorate (R)
12 N/A Portland, Oregon Private westernseminary.edu
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA)
Bachelor's
Master's
10 SAT: 970-1210
ACT: 19-26
West Palm Beach, Florida Private pba.edu
Evangel University
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
10 N/A Springfield, Missouri Private evangel.edu
North Greenville University (NGU)
Bachelor's
9 SAT: 1010-1250
ACT: 22-28
Tigerville, South Carolina Private ngu.edu
Lee University
Bachelor's
Other Award
9 SAT: 1020-1240
ACT: 20-26
Cleveland, Tennessee Private leeuniversity.edu
Southern California Seminary (SCS)
Master's
8 N/A El Cajon, California Private socalsem.edu
Dallas Baptist University (DBU)
Bachelor's
Master's
8 SAT: 960-1217
ACT: 21-27
Dallas, Texas Private dbu.edu
Johnson University (JU)
Bachelor's
Master's
7 SAT: 890-1090
ACT: 19-24
Knoxville, Tennessee Private johnsonu.edu
Southeastern University (SEU)
Master's
Doctorate (P)
6 N/A Lakeland, Florida Private seu.edu
Toccoa Falls College (TFC)
Bachelor's
Other Award
6 SAT: 1060-1250
ACT: 21-25
Toccoa Falls, Georgia Private tfc.edu
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (O)
6 SAT: 950-1200
ACT: 20-27
Winona Lake, Indiana Private grace.edu
Martin Luther College (MLC)
Residency
6 SAT: 1078-1256
ACT: 22-27
New Ulm, Minnesota Private mlc-wels.edu
University of Northwestern (UNW)
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 981-1293
ACT: 22-29
Saint Paul, Minnesota Private unwsp.edu
Ozark Christian College (OCC)
Associate's
Bachelor's
6 N/A Joplin, Missouri Private occ.edu
Union University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1030-1340
ACT: 22-29
Jackson, Tennessee Private uu.edu
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU)
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 926-1110
ACT: 17-22
Waxahachie, Texas Private sagu.edu
The Master's University and Seminary (TMU)
Master's
5 N/A Santa Clarita, California Private masters.edu
Trinity International University (TIU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
5 N/A Deerfield, Illinois Private tiu.edu
Asbury University
Bachelor's
5 N/A Wilmore, Kentucky Private asbury.edu
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
5 ACT: 18-26 Ellendale, North Dakota Private trinitybiblecollege.edu
Bob Jones University (BJU)
Bachelor's
Master's
5 N/A Greenville, South Carolina Private bju.edu
Harding University
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 1050-1280
ACT: 21-28
Searcy, Arkansas Private harding.edu
California Baptist University (CBU)
Bachelor's
4 N/A Riverside, California Private calbaptist.edu
Truett McConnell University (TMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
4 N/A Cleveland, Georgia Private truett.edu
Olivet Nazarene University (ONU)
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 960-1190
ACT: 18-28
Bourbonnais, Illinois Private olivet.edu
Emmaus Bible College
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 910-1060
ACT: 20-26
Dubuque, Iowa Private emmaus.edu
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (FBBC&TS)
Associate's
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 940-1180
ACT: 18-25
Ankeny, Iowa Private faith.edu
Cedarville University
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 1110-1360
ACT: 23-29
Cedarville, Ohio Private cedarville.edu
Freed-Hardeman University (FHU)
Bachelor's
4 SAT: 934-1084
ACT: 19-26
Henderson, Tennessee Private fhu.edu
Bethel University
Bachelor's
3 SAT: 940-1190
ACT: 19-24
Mishawaka, Indiana Private betheluniversity.edu
Barclay College
Master's
3 N/A Haviland, Kansas Private barclaycollege.edu
Andrews University
Doctorate (R)
3 SAT: 1070-1370
ACT: 20-28
Berrien Springs, Michigan Private andrews.edu
Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)
Master's
3 N/A Dallas, Texas Private dts.edu
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1060-1290
ACT: 21-28
Arkadelphia, Arkansas Private obu.edu
Biola University
Master's
Doctorate (O)
2 SAT: 1130-1360
ACT: 24-30
La Mirada, California Private biola.edu
Crown College
Bachelor's
2 N/A Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota Private crown.edu
Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB)
Bachelor's
2 N/A Moberly, Missouri Private cccb.edu
Allegheny Wesleyan College (AWC)
Bachelor's
2 N/A Salem, Ohio Private awc.edu
Gods Bible School and College (GBS)
Associate's
2 N/A Cincinnati, Ohio Private gbs.edu
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 963-1228
ACT: 18-25
Mount Vernon, Ohio Private mvnu.edu
Oral Roberts University (ORU)
Master's
2 SAT: 1083-1250
ACT: 22-27
Tulsa, Oklahoma Private oru.edu
Lancaster Bible College (LBC)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1080-1270
ACT: 21-23
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Private lbc.edu
Welch College
Bachelor's
2 N/A Gallatin, Tennessee Private welch.edu
Abilene Christian University (ACU)
Master's
2 SAT: 1060-1290
ACT: 22-28
Abilene, Texas Private acu.edu
Regent University
Master's
2 SAT: 1050-1250
ACT: 21-26
Virginia Beach, Virginia Private regent.edu
Hobe Sound Bible College
Bachelor's
1 N/A Hobe Sound, Florida Private hsbc.edu
Trinity College of Florida (TCF)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 810-980
ACT: 15-22
Trinity, Florida Private trinitycollege.edu
Brewton-Parker College (BPC)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Mount Vernon, Georgia Private bpc.edu
Boise Bible College (BBC)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 920-1200 Boise, Idaho Private boisebible.edu
Dordt University
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1030-1230
ACT: 21-27
Sioux Center, Iowa Private dordt.edu
Cornerstone University (CU)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Grand Rapids, Michigan Private cornerstone.edu
Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Bemidji, Minnesota Private oakhills.edu
Mission University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Springfield, Missouri Private mission.edu
University of Providence (UP)
Postbac Cert.
1 SAT: 845-1135
ACT: 16-24
Great Falls, Montana Private uprovidence.edu
Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Bartlesville, Oklahoma Private okwu.edu
Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1000-1190
ACT: 20-28
Shawnee, Oklahoma Private okbu.edu
Southwestern Christian University (SCU)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Bethany, Oklahoma Private swcu.edu
Corban University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Salem, Oregon Private corban.edu
Eastern University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Saint Davids, Pennsylvania Private eastern.edu
University of Valley Forge (UVF)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Phoenixville, Pennsylvania Private valleyforge.edu
Charleston Southern University (CSU)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 950-1160
ACT: 17-24
Charleston, South Carolina Private charlestonsouthern.edu
Houston Christian University (HCU)
Postbac Cert.
1 SAT: 970-1200
ACT: 19-28
Houston, Texas Private hc.edu
Northwest University
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1040-1325
ACT: 24-29
Kirkland, Washington Private northwestu.edu
Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW)
Bachelor's
1 ACT: 22-29 Mequon, Wisconsin Private cuw.edu
Maranatha Baptist University (Mbbc)
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 980-1220
ACT: 19-27
Watertown, Wisconsin Private mbu.edu
Universidad Teologica del Caribe (UTC)
Master's
1 N/A Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico Private utcpr.edu
Manna University
Bachelor's
1 N/A Fayetteville, North Carolina Private manna.edu
Grace Mission University
Doctorate (R)
1 N/A Fullerton, California Private gm.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Missionary Studies programs

How much can I earn with a Missionary Studies degree?

Salaries for Missionary Studies graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually, while Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn around $54,840. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $90,280 compared to $38,790 in Montana. Approximately 42,300 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Missionary Studies programs?

Currently 85 accredited institutions offer Missionary Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI) (411 graduates), Bethany Global University (BGU) (120 graduates), and Fuller Theological Seminary (67 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Missionary Studies growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 989 in 2010 to a peak of 1,386 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,235 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Missionary Studies degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, . Related occupations employ approximately 42,300 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Related Theology Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Theology field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.

Found this helpful? Share it!

Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.