Compare 5 Lay Ministry. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $33,767.
With top graduates earning $42,530, Lay Ministry stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $8K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University Of Valley Forge's Lay Ministry program leads with graduates earning $42,530, significantly above the $33,767 average across Northeast programs. Eastern University follows at $34,981, while Lancaster Bible College rounds out the top three at $30,595—showing meaningful variation in outcomes even within specialized theological education.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Valley Forge graduates borrow $27,000 and face an 18.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Challenging' category. While the best student outcomes, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means graduates can pay off loans with about 7.5 months of salary.
Highest program earnings: $42,530
Strong outcomes with 78% acceptance
18.6% payment burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
39.0% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Valley ForgePrivate | $42,530 | 9 | $27,000 | Challenging | $25,868 | High |
| #2 | Eastern UniversityPrivate | $34,981 | 9 | $25,000 | High | $17,070 | High |
| #3 | Lancaster Bible CollegePrivate | $30,595 | 21 | $20,500 | High | $23,000 | High |
| #4 | Gordon CollegePrivate | $30,453 | 10 | $26,250 | High | $43,838 | High |
| #5 | Geneva CollegePrivate | $30,276 | 5 | $25,198 | High | $25,183 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
