Graduates of Nelson University earn median 4-year earnings of $46,199, placing the institution in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,599 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nelson University in the 30.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nelson University #1271 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nelson University's concentration in theology and religious studies. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 61 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,707, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 25 students with median 4-year earnings of $52,229, while General Studies and Human Services, General round out the institution's primary academic portfolio. This focused program mix — anchored in Theology — shapes both the earnings trajectory and the career pathways available to Nelson University graduates, with outcomes reflecting the labor-market dynamics of faith-based and educational sectors.
Graduates of Nelson University earn median 4-year earnings of $46,199, placing the institution in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,599 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nelson University in the 30.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nelson University #1271 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nelson University's concentration in theology and religious studies. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 61 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,707, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 25 students with median 4-year earnings of $52,229, while General Studies and Human Services, General round out the institution's primary academic portfolio. This focused program mix — anchored in Theology — shapes both the earnings trajectory and the career pathways available to Nelson University graduates, with outcomes reflecting the labor-market dynamics of faith-based and educational sectors.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
How graduate earnings grow across the currently available FE horizons.
Financial justification for the investment.
Moderate debt load. Repaying $24,725 requires planning but is achievable.
Graduates of Nelson University earn median 4-year earnings of $46,199, placing the institution in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,599 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nelson University in the 30.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nelson University #1271 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nelson University's concentration in theology and religious studies. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 61 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,707, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 25 students with median 4-year earnings of $52,229, while General Studies and Human Services, General round out the institution's primary academic portfolio. This focused program mix — anchored in Theology — shapes both the earnings trajectory and the career pathways available to Nelson University graduates, with outcomes reflecting the labor-market dynamics of faith-based and educational sectors.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Nelson University's program mix centers on Theology and related faith-formation fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven identity. The largest programs by enrollment are Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries with 61 graduates, Business Administration with 25 graduates, and General Studies with 23 graduates. Across 14 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 207 students annually. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied professional and business fields. Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,229 with 25 graduates, while General Studies delivers median 4-year earnings of $47,277. Bible/Biblical Studies and Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating that Nelson University's economic strength extends beyond its theological core into complementary professional pathways. The popular programs Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Business Administration, and General Studies generate median 4-year earnings of $39,707, $52,229, and $47,277 respectively, reflecting the institution's ability to support students across both faith-formation and secular professional tracks. Nelson University's program portfolio balances mission-aligned theological preparation with practical professional credentials. Graduates in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and related faith studies pursue ministry, chaplaincy, and religious education — pathways where four-year earnings may undercount lifetime trajectory given the prevalence of graduate and professional study. Conversely, students in applied business and professional fields enter the workforce directly, with earnings reflecting immediate labor-market outcomes. The supply and demand for college graduates provides context for how Nelson University's dominant program families align with regional and national workforce demand.
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Graduates of Nelson University earn median 4-year earnings of $46,199, placing the institution in the 3.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,599 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nelson University in the 30.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nelson University #1271 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nelson University's concentration in theology and religious studies. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 61 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,707, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 25 students with median 4-year earnings of $52,229, while General Studies and Human Services, General round out the institution's primary academic portfolio. This focused program mix — anchored in Theology — shapes both the earnings trajectory and the career pathways available to Nelson University graduates, with outcomes reflecting the labor-market dynamics of faith-based and educational sectors.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
