Youth Ministry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals pursuing leadership roles within religious communities, this program equips future ministry professionals with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to engage, guide, and support youth across developmental stages. Emphasis is placed on fostering spiritual growth, emotional well-being, and community involvement among children, adolescents, and young adults through structured, faith-based programming and compassionate mentorship.
- Child and Adolescent Psychology: Explores cognitive, emotional, and social development during formative years, enabling effective engagement with youth in diverse spiritual and social contexts.
- Human Growth and Development: Examines the physical, psychological, and moral evolution of young people, providing a framework for age-appropriate ministry practices.
- Family Studies: Investigates family dynamics and relational systems, supporting holistic approaches to youth ministry that recognize the influence of home environments.
- Communication Skills: Develops strategies for clear, empathetic, and culturally responsive dialogue with youth, peers, and community stakeholders.
- Religious Education: Focuses on curriculum design, biblical literacy, and faith formation methods tailored to youth learning styles and developmental needs.
- Youth Counseling: Introduces principles of pastoral care and crisis intervention, preparing practitioners to support emotional and spiritual challenges faced by young people.
- Small Group Leadership: Teaches techniques for facilitating meaningful, inclusive, and spiritually enriching group experiences that promote connection and discipleship.
- Planning and Organizing Youth Activities: Covers event design, logistics, risk management, and creative programming to foster engagement and community cohesion.
- Volunteer Supervision: Addresses recruitment, training, motivation, and retention of youth ministry volunteers, emphasizing leadership development and team collaboration.
- Youth Evangelism and Worship: Explores innovative, context-sensitive approaches to sharing faith and designing worship experiences that resonate with younger generations.
Youth Ministry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Youth Ministry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Youth Ministry degrees, including Clergy 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 79,540 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clergy 21-2011 | $60,820 | $37,140 - $99,720 | 58,080 | $29.24 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 | $54,840 | $33,990 - $106,530 | 21,460 | $26.37 |
Youth Ministry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $31,200 in Utah to $75,930 in California—a 143% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 79,540 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 Youth Ministry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 67 institutions offering Youth Ministry 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 Youth Ministry is found at Liberty University (33 graduates), Lee University (18 graduates), Moody Bible Institute (MBI) (16 graduates), Gordon College (15 graduates), and Ozark Christian College (OCC) (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 327 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Moody Bible Institute (MBI) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | moody.edu |
| Gordon College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Ozark Christian College (OCC) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Joplin, Missouri | Private | occ.edu |
| Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
12 | Austin, Texas | Private | austinseminary.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Crown College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota | Private | crown.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Eastern University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| Toccoa Falls College (TFC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Toccoa Falls, Georgia | Private | tfc.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| University of Northwestern (UNW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | unwsp.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Cairn University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| Valor Christian College |
Associate's
|
5 | Canal Winchester, Ohio | Private | valorcollege.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| William Jessup University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rocklin, California | Private | jessup.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Concordia University (CUAA) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Private | cuaa.edu |
| Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Moberly, Missouri | Private | cccb.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Columbia International University (CIU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | ciu.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Master's
|
4 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
| Maranatha Baptist University (Mbbc) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Watertown, Wisconsin | Private | mbu.edu |
| Faulkner University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | faulkner.edu |
| Boise Bible College (BBC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Boise, Idaho | Private | boisebible.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
|
3 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Private | macuniversity.edu |
| University of Sioux Falls (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | usiouxfalls.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| Taylor University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Upland, Indiana | Private | taylor.edu |
| Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Private | oakhills.edu |
| Midland University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fremont, Nebraska | Private | midlandu.edu |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hickory, North Carolina | Private | lr.edu |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Wake Forest, North Carolina | Private | sebts.edu |
| University of Valley Forge (UVF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Phoenixville, Pennsylvania | Private | valleyforge.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary (SFBC&TS) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Deerfield Beach, Florida | Private | sfbc.edu |
| Milligan University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Milligan, Tennessee | Private | milligan.edu |
| Union Bible College (UBCA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Westfield, Indiana | Private | ubca.org |
| Great Northern University (GNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Spokane, Washington | Private | greatnorthernu.org |
| Trinity College of Florida (TCF) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Trinity, Florida | Private | trinitycollege.edu |
| Point University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Sterling College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sterling, Kansas | Private | sterling.edu |
| Asbury University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wilmore, Kentucky | Private | asbury.edu |
| The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) |
Master's
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sbts.edu |
| Southern Nazarene University (SNU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bethany, Oklahoma | Private | snu.edu |
| Randall University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Moore, Oklahoma | Private | ru.edu |
| Geneva College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania | Private | geneva.edu |
| North Greenville University (NGU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tigerville, South Carolina | Private | ngu.edu |
| Johnson University (JU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | johnsonu.edu |
| Northwest University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
| Mid-South Christian College (MSCC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | midsouthchristian.edu |
| Veritas Baptist College (VBC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Lawrenceburg, Indiana | Private | vbc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Youth Ministry programs
How much can I earn with a Youth Ministry degree?
Salaries for Youth Ministry graduates vary by role and location. Clergy earn a median of $60,820 annually, while Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn around $54,840. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $75,930 compared to $31,200 in Utah. Approximately 79,540 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 Youth Ministry programs?
Currently 67 accredited institutions offer Youth Ministry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (33 graduates), Lee University (18 graduates), and Moody Bible Institute (MBI) (16 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 Youth Ministry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 744 in 2010 to a peak of 468 in 2020, before declining slightly to 327 in 2023-24. This represents a 56% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Youth Ministry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Clergy, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, . Related occupations employ approximately 79,540 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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