Pastoral Counseling at Grace Christian University

Wyoming, MI · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries

A 99% acceptance rate means Grace Christian University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 707 students in Wyoming, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,522 track close to the $33,641 national median for Pastoral Counseling programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Pastoral Counseling programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Pastoral Counseling's career paths, with 21% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,089 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,522 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

This program is one of 4 schools offering Pastoral Counseling in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $36,399 are relatively flat compared to the $33,522 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Chaplain Service Support (Military Only) with a median wage of $45,120/yr) connects to Pastoral Counseling careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
42
Score
43
High End
Earnings $33,522/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (79% shielded)
Job Market Large (70,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$368K
2.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
12.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$29,984
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,089
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,399
9% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Pastoral Counseling graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary $78,050 +0.7% 49%
Clergy $60,820 +1.0% 67%
Community and social service specialists, all other $54,940 +4.6% 100%
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
$78,050
+0.7% growth 49% AI-proof
Clergy
$60,820
+1.0% growth 67% AI-proof
Community and social service specialists, all other
$54,940
+4.6% growth 100% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Pastoral Counseling Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Pastoral Counseling careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Pastoral Counseling career guide →

Compare & Explore

Pastoral Counseling Overview

Pastoral Counseling at Other Schools

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Pastoral Counseling at Grace Christian University?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Pastoral Counseling. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is there demand for Pastoral Counseling workers?
Job availability for Pastoral Counseling is strong — 70,400 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Grace Christian University graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →