Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #1346 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $33,678 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary in the 1.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #754 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary's composite ranking reflects its distinctive focus on theological education at private-tuition pricing. The institution serves a student population seeking preparation for ministry and related fields, with affordability outcomes that rank above typical institutions in its cohort.
Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary's published cost of attendance is $24,956. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $21,249, middle-income families pay around $21,807, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,426. Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #754 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Aid at Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary is distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional sources. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution works to bridge the gap between published cost and what families can afford based on demonstrated financial need. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,677, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $7,103; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $38,089, median federal debt of $26,677 projects to a monthly payment of about $301 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary is a strong fit for students called to ministry and theological studies who want a focused, faith-based education in CA. The institution's concentrated program mix in Theology provides clear alignment for those pursuing vocational ministry paths. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $38,089, placing Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary in the 1.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures track CA's regional labor market and represent meaningful returns relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $34,672. The institution enrolls 44.6% of undergraduates as Pell recipients and 53.6% as first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations within its theological mission. Published cost of attendance is $17,426, with median federal debt at graduation of $26,677. Fit depends on alignment with the institution's theological focus and vocational outcomes. Students seeking preparation for ministry roles will find the strongest value proposition, while those pursuing secular career paths may want to consider institutions with broader program offerings.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #1346 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 8.8 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary is a private university located in El Dorado Hills, CA, serving a specialized mission in theological and religious education. The institution enrolls approximately 198 undergraduates, with 44.6% receiving Pell Grants and 53.6% identifying as first-generation college students. Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #1474 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 0.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $38,089, placing Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary in the 1.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary sits in the 1.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that graduates achieve solid financial outcomes relative to similar students at comparable institutions. The institution's focus on Theology shapes its graduate profile and career pathways. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite. Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary sits in the 55.3 percentile for access and the 61.5 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. These lower rankings reflect the specialized nature of the institution's academic mission and the particular career trajectories available to graduates in theology-focused fields. For students called to religious leadership, ministry, or related vocations, Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary offers a focused educational pathway with outcomes grounded in the institution's distinctive mission and graduate employment landscape.
Bible/Biblical Studies
47 graduates
Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary's program portfolio centers on theological and religious studies — a signature aligned with the institution's identity as a Bible college and seminary. Bible/Biblical Studies is the largest program with 47 graduates annually, followed by Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Across 2 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting a focused academic mission concentrated in faith-based and ministerial preparation fields. The institution's program-mix signature reflects its specialized theological focus.
Bible/Biblical Studies represents the highest-earning pathway at Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $36,973. This concentration in Theology fields shapes both the student experience and post-graduation outcomes, as graduates typically enter ministry, religious education, pastoral leadership, and faith-based organizational roles where earnings patterns differ from secular labor markets.
For students pursuing religious vocations and theological training, Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary offers a specialized pathway grounded in its core mission. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides broader context for understanding how faith-based and ministerial career paths align with national labor-market trends, though outcomes in these fields reflect non-traditional career trajectories centered on calling and service rather than conventional wage-growth metrics.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary's published cost of attendance is $24,956. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $21,249, middle-income families pay around $21,807, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,426.
Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #754 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Aid at Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary is distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional sources. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution works to bridge the gap between published cost and what families can afford based on demonstrated financial need.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,677, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $7,103; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $38,089, median federal debt of $26,677 projects to a monthly payment of about $301 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary earn median 4-year earnings of $38,089, placing the institution in the 1.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $33,678 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary in the 1.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Sum Bible College and Theological Seminary #1474 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Bible/Biblical Studies is the institution's primary program, with 47 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $36,973.
This represents approximately 0.8× the national benchmark for the field, reflecting strong alignment between theological education and graduate earnings trajectories. The concentration in Theology shapes the institution's overall earnings profile and career outcomes for students pursuing ministry and faith-based vocations.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian Bible College Higher acceptance rate (34.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | WV | 99% | $37,467 | Compare |
Trinity College Of Florida Higher acceptance rate (32.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | FL | 96% | $32,465 | Compare |
New Hope Christian College-Eugene Same region (earnings difference: 12.1%) and similar program focus; same institution type | OR | 66% | $31,115 | Compare |
California Institute Of The Arts Same state (earnings difference: 16.3%); same institution type | CA | 26% | $41,198 | Compare |
California College Of The Arts Similar admission rate (9.2 percentage points difference); located 94 miles away | CA | 73% | $49,414 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier (#36173 ranked) | PA | 99% | $33,301 | #36173 | Compare |
Calvary University Similar quality tier (#36176 ranked) | MO | 72% | $45,421 | #36176 | Compare |
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Similar quality tier (#36169 ranked) | PR | 94% | $24,908 | #36169 | Compare |
Lourdes University Similar quality tier (#36182 ranked) | OH | 74% | $48,150 | #36182 | Compare |
St. John's College Similar quality tier (#36166 ranked) | NM | 53% | $44,985 | #36166 | Compare |
