Set near the Lake Michigan shoreline, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is known for blending serious theological study with hands-on formation. Faculty ask students to read closely, write clearly, and test ideas in real communities. The campus centers on a chapel, a quiet library, and seminar rooms, with advising, spiritual care, and writing support woven into daily life. Regular chapel gatherings keep the place grounded.
Student life leans collaborative: discussion groups, service projects, and lakefront runs when the weather cooperates. Career preparation comes through supervised placements in congregations, community nonprofits, and care settings, plus mentoring and a network across denominations. Evanston offers coffee shops, arts, and a walkable downtown; Chicago's congregations and cultural life sit a short train ride away. The culture has Methodist roots and an ecumenical, justice-minded vibe.
Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects
Explore degree programs offered at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Illinois. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.
How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in Illinois vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Theology (9)
Most Graduates (72.9%)
Theological Studies, Ministry Preparation and Religious Leadership
39.0401
Religious Education.
(PostBacCert)
A program that focuses on the theory and practice of providing educational services to members of faith communities, within the context of a particular religion, and that prepares individuals to serve as religious educators. Includes instruction in planning and teaching lessons, organizing and supervising instructional activities, designing and developing instructional materials, and administering religious education programs and facilities.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-2021 |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
$65,040
|
$73,620
|
+$8,580 (+13.2%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0501
Religious/Sacred Music.
(PostBacCert)
A program that focuses on the history, theory, composition, and performance of music for religious or sacred purposes, and that prepares individuals for religious musical vocations such as choir directors, cantors, organists, and chanters.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
27-2041 |
Music Directors and Composers |
$84,230
|
$64,600
|
-$19,630 (-23.3%)
|
39.0601
Theology/Theological Studies.
(PostBacCert)
A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. Includes instruction in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0602
Divinity/Ministry.
(PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals for ordination as ministers or priests in any of the Christian religious traditions. Includes instruction in the theology and polity of a particular church, church law, liturgy and ritual, principles of pastoral ministry, homiletics, evangelism, church/parish organization and management, Christian ethics, church history, and related studies.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0699
Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other.
(BSc)
Any instructional program in theological and ministerial studies not listed above, including preparation for religious vocations in faiths other than Christianity and Judaism.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
21-2099 |
Religious Workers, All Other |
$49,830
|
$56,940
|
+$7,110 (+14.3%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0701
Pastoral Studies/Counseling.
(PostBacCert)
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-1019 |
Counselors, All Other |
$58,070
|
$54,060
|
-$4,010 (-6.9%)
|
21-1099 |
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
$58,360
|
$39,360
|
-$19,000 (-32.6%)
|
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
21-2021 |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
$65,040
|
$73,620
|
+$8,580 (+13.2%)
|
21-2099 |
Religious Workers, All Other |
$49,830
|
$56,940
|
+$7,110 (+14.3%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0706
Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies.
(PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting. Includes instruction in global, healthcare, prison, and sports chaplaincy; addiction, crisis, disaster, family, marriage, grief, and loss counseling; ethics; leadership; multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts; and worship.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
21-2021 |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
$65,040
|
$73,620
|
+$8,580 (+13.2%)
|
21-2099 |
Religious Workers, All Other |
$49,830
|
$56,940
|
+$7,110 (+14.3%)
|
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
39.0799
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other.
(GradCert)
Any instructional program in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries not listed above.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-1019 |
Counselors, All Other |
$58,070
|
$54,060
|
-$4,010 (-6.9%)
|
21-1099 |
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
$58,360
|
$39,360
|
-$19,000 (-32.6%)
|
21-2021 |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
$65,040
|
$73,620
|
+$8,580 (+13.2%)
|
21-2099 |
Religious Workers, All Other |
$49,830
|
$56,940
|
+$7,110 (+14.3%)
|
39.9999
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other.
(PostBacCert)
Any instructional program in theological studies and religious vocations not listed above.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
99-9999 |
NO MATCH |
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Philosophy (2)
Most Graduates (14.3%)
Philosophical Studies, Ethics and Religious Thought
38.0101
Philosophy.
(FPD)
A program that focuses on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Includes instruction in logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, symbolism, and history of philosophy, and applications to the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
38.0104
Applied and Professional Ethics.
(PostBacCert)
A program that focuses on the systematic study of ethical issues in the workplace and public life, and the application of ethical decision-making to the practical problems of society and the professions. Includes instruction in ethical theory; history of ethics; contemporary social dilemmas; methods in applied ethics; and applications including medical ethics, legal ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and criminal justice ethics.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
25-1126 |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary |
$88,210
|
$66,570
|
-$21,640 (-24.5%)
|
Health (1)
Most Graduates (12.9%)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.1506
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling.
(PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in health care emergencies and other situations, and to consult with and counsel other health care professionals. Includes instruction in advanced interpersonal communication; individual and small group counseling; interdisciplinary teamwork; crisis management; extended care relationships; self-analysis; medical ethics; pastoral care art; spiritual dimensions of human growth and health; counseling psychology and therapy; and applications to grief, death, emotional collapse, injury, individual/family adjustment, and chronic illness situations.
Graduate Career Earnings in Illinois
Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code |
Occupation |
US National |
Illinois Avg |
IL vs US |
21-1013 |
Marriage and Family Therapists |
$72,720
|
$68,190
|
-$4,530 (-6.2%)
|
21-1014 |
Mental Health Counselors |
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21-1019 |
Counselors, All Other |
$58,070
|
$54,060
|
-$4,010 (-6.9%)
|
21-2011 |
Clergy |
$67,160
|
$58,760
|
-$8,400 (-12.5%)
|
21-2021 |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
$65,040
|
$73,620
|
+$8,580 (+13.2%)
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
What academic programs and degree levels does Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary offer?
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary offers 16 academic programs across 3 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Other).
Most popular program areas include:
- Theological Studies, Ministry Preparation and Religious Leadership (9 programs)
- Philosophical Studies, Ethics and Religious Thought (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.