Pastoral Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Marion, IN · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries

enrolling 5,808 students in Marion, IN.

Program Analysis

Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global's Pastoral Counseling graduates start at $35,736/yr — above the $33,641 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 22.8x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,736 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 $37,185 are relatively flat compared to the $35,736 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.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $35,736/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (79% shielded)
Job Market Large (70,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$374K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
22.8x
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
$16,432
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,185
4% 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

Explore what Pastoral Counseling graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 4 programs nationwide.

Read the full Pastoral Counseling career guide →

Compare & Explore

Pastoral Counseling Overview

Pastoral Counseling at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Pastoral Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Pastoral Counseling. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global one of the best schools for Pastoral Counseling?
Ranked #1 of 4 programs nationally, Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Will Pastoral Counseling graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global find jobs?
With approximately 70,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Pastoral Counseling offers a large employment pool. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →