Compare 8 Church Planting. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $29,478. Top programs: $42,589+.
With top graduates earning $42,589, Church Planting stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $13K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 8 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not the name on the diploma.
Topping the list, Palm Beach Atlantic University's Church Planting program delivers $42,589 in median earnings—well above the $29,478 average across all ranked programs. Moody Bible Institute follows closely at $40,561, with a cohort of 69 graduates providing a notably robust sample. Two private nonprofits leading the field reinforces that outcomes here are driven by program focus, not institutional brand.
Moody Bible Institute presents the strongest debt picture among programs with borrowing data: graduates carry $18,149 in student loans and face a 13.8% payment burden—a 'Manageable' rating that means payments are workable but warrant planning. Families considering parent loans should note that combined debt rises to $31,375, pushing the family burden to 25.4%—a meaningful distinction when deciding how to finance the degree.
Highest program earnings: $42,589
Strong outcomes ($42,589) with 82% acceptance rate
13.8% payment burden | Manageable (12–18% of discretionary)
25.4% family burden | High burden (over 25% of discretionary)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $42,589 | 11 | $22,500 | Manageable | $23,324 | High | |
| #2 | Moody Bible InstitutePrivate | $40,561 | 69 | $18,149 | Manageable | $13,226 | High |
| #3 | Evangel UniversityPrivate | $33,459 | 10 | $24,736 | High | $20,473 | High |
| #4 | Johnson UniversityPrivate | $28,103 | 7 | $21,500 | High | $26,079 | High |
| #5 | North Greenville UniversityPrivate | $26,896 | 9 | $23,082 | High | $22,924 | High |
| #6 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $22,578 | 10 | $25,000 | High | $21,966 | High |
| #7 | Ozark Christian CollegePrivate | $21,498 | 8 | $16,772 | High | $10,910 | High |
| #8 | $20,140 | 16 | $15,675 | High | $10,162 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
