Theological and Ministerial Studies at Southeastern University

Lakeland, FL · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

With 74% of applicants admitted, Southeastern University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 4,646 students in Lakeland, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,591 track close to the $27,591 national median for Theological and Ministerial Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 4.5x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Theological and Ministerial Studies's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At $12,000 in median debt against $27,591 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

This program is one of 1 schools offering Theological and Ministerial Studies in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

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

34 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
31
Low End
34
Score
35
High End
Earnings $27,591/yr (0% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (36,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$289K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
4.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Program Tuition
$63,464
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Theological and Ministerial Studies 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%
Religious workers, all other $45,120 +0.6% 100%
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
$78,050
+0.7% growth 49% AI-proof
Clergy
$60,820
+1.0% growth 67% AI-proof
Religious workers, all other
$45,120
+0.6% growth 100% AI-proof

About Theological and Ministerial Studies Careers

Your career will be a blend of spiritual leadership, community management, and personal guidance. As a clergy member, your days will involve writing and delivering sermons, counseling congregants through life's challenges, officiating ceremonies, and managing a faith organization's budget and staff. In other religious worker roles, you might focus on directing youth programs, leading music ministry, or coordinating community outreach from a church or non-profit office.

Read the full Theological and Ministerial Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Theological and Ministerial Studies Overview

Other Majors at Southeastern University

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 Theological and Ministerial Studies at Southeastern University?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Theological and Ministerial Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Southeastern University one of the best schools for Theological and Ministerial Studies?
The #1 ranking out of 1 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →