Bible/Biblical Studies: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 6 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$183,193 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−141%Modeled 10-year ROI
$39,670Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$39,670Median reported earnings · year 4
$40,452Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,305Median federal debt
23thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
6Reporting programs
5With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,160
- Federal debt
- $22,274
- Reporting programs
- 1
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $39,670
- Federal debt
- $25,305
- Reporting programs
- 6
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,100
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 48
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,765
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,419
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,345National median$39,67075th percentile$45,122
5 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Nelson University$45,7042Colorado Christian University$45,1223Elim Bible College$39,6704Davis College$39,3455Lancaster Bible College$29,8866Carolina College of Biblical StudiesNot availableObserved year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Directors, Religious Activities and EducationSOC 21-2021 · 1 crosswalk linksPhilosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1126 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson UniversityAssociate's Degree | Waxahachie, TX | $45,704 | $27,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Colorado Christian UniversityAssociate's Degree | Lakewood, CO | $45,122 | $40,475 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Elim Bible CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lima, NY | $39,670 | $11,998 | -149% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Davis CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pottersville, NY | $39,345 | Not available | -149% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Lancaster Bible CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, PA | $29,886 | $20,453 | -207% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Carolina College of Biblical StudiesAssociate's Degree | Fayetteville, NC | Not available | $25,305 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $21,322 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.