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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

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

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