At $25,007/yr net price, Moody Bible Institute graduates earn $45,399/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,399/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,007 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,028 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,399/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,399/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,149 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,309/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,436/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,872/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,741/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,883/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Bachelor | $31,314 | $12,690 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Bachelor | $23,649 | $15,000 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology. | Bachelor | $21,166 | $14,250 |
| Religious Education. | Bachelor | $20,824 | $12,647 |
The Risk Factor
62.0% of students at Moody Bible Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Moody Bible Institute gives you low debt and low earnings. Your median debt sits around $18,000, well below what many private schools saddle graduates with, and the median 10-year earnings of $45,399 is decent for a Bible college. The tension is between the sticker cost and what the listed programs actually pay.
Look at the program-level numbers and the picture changes. Every bachelor's program listed pays under $32,000 a year a decade out. Bible/Biblical Studies leads at $31,314, and it comes with the lowest debt of the four at about $12,700. Theological and Ministerial Studies, Missions, and Religious Education all land in the low $20,000s. That is below the national median household income and near what you would earn without a degree in some fields. If ministry is your calling, these numbers are the reality of the vocation, not a failure of the school. But as a financial investment, these programs do not pay off in dollar terms.
The specific risk here is the gap between the $25,007 net price and program earnings barely above $20,000. Four years at that price is roughly $100,000 in cost against a job that may pay $21,000 to $31,000. The 62% graduation rate means paying and not finishing is a real possibility, though the 90% retention rate suggests most who start the year come back.
The net price barely moves by income. Families earning under $30,000 pay $26,309, and families over $110,000 pay $23,883. Low-income families get almost no price break here, which matters most for you if money is tight.
Moody fits you if you are called to ministry and accept modest pay as part of that. If you want financial return, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moody Bible Institute worth the cost?
Moody Bible Institute graduates earn a median of $45,399 ten years after graduation, which is low compared to most colleges. The school's focus on ministry and religious careers means financial returns are limited, but costs are relatively manageable at $25,007 per year.
What is the average debt for Moody Bible Institute graduates?
Moody Bible Institute graduates have a median debt of $18,149, which is below the national average. However, with typical ministry salaries being low, even this modest debt can be challenging to repay on earnings around $45,000.
Which Moody Bible Institute programs have the best job prospects?
Theology and Religious Vocations graduates earn the highest at $42,682, while Missions graduates earn just $21,166. All programs at Moody prepare students for ministry work, which typically offers lower financial compensation than secular careers.
Does Moody Bible Institute provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $25,007 and relatively low graduate debt, Moody appears to offer reasonable financial aid packages. The school's religious mission likely helps keep costs lower than many private colleges.