Bible college is a great option for those who want a fulfilling job working in a religious-based career. This is also an option for people who don’t necessary want a career as a pastor or a missionary, but who instead want to learn how to incorporate God into their everyday business practices. The career paths open to you after you graduate from bible college, whether you got to school at an offline or online university, depend on your concentration and your specific goals in life, and the average salary you can expect with such a degree depends on the choices you make.

Many students who attend bible college are interested in a job in the clergy field. While this isn’t your only option after a religious education, it can be a lucrative career, both in terms of job fulfillment and salary. According to Payscale.com, you can expect the following average salaries as a member of the clergy:

• Senior Pastor: $51,155
• Minister: $47,932
• Pastor of Ministry: $39,149
• Associate Pastor: $36,313
• Youth Pastor: $33,707

With a degree from a bible college, you can also pursue a career as a chaplain. Chaplains are religious leaders working at institutions that are typically non-religious to provide spiritual guidance to religious employees who request it. You average salary as a chaplain depends on where you work; the salary ranges you can expect are as follows:

• Working with the Federal Government: $62,400 – $110,748
• Working with State or Local Government: $33,708 – $61,274
• Working at a School or College: $23,800 – 59,495
• Working at a Hospital: $37,605 – $51,039
• Working at a Non-Profit Organization: $32,087 – $50,492
• Working at a Private or Public Company: $38,505 – $46,691

You can also pursue a degree in education if you attend bible college. With this kind of degree, you can work in day cares, schools, and even colleges if you have advanced education. Your salary depends on experience – a religious education major right out of school can expect to make an average of $32,400 per year, while someone with 20 or more years of experience can expect to make an average of $72,000 per year.

Of course, you don’t have to use your bible college degree toward a career that is outwardly so religious-based. Many bible colleges offer associate, bachelor, master, and even doctorate degrees in many different subject matters. The different here is that your education will also include religious training, teaching you to use the bible and other religious guidance to help you make decisions in the workplace. Some of the most popular careers, as of 2009, along with their salaries, are as follows:

• Network Systems Analysts: $93,950
• Physician’s Assistant: $74,980
• Medical Assistants: $26,290
• Medical Records and Health Information Technicians: $28,030
• Software Engineers: $79,780
• Physical Therapist Aides: $41,360
• Fitness Trainers: $25,910
• Database Administrators: $64,670
• Veterinary Technicians: $28,900
• Dental Hygienists: $66,570

You can read about all of these careers from the United States Department of Labor. Want to increase your average salary? Go back to school. While many bible college students pursue associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees, most universities also offer master’s degrees, and some even offer doctorate degrees. Having an advanced degree can really help you to get a higher-paying job in a career you love.

Looking for a top online bible college? Bible College.org has already ranked the best of the best Christian Bible colleges below. Each school is fully accredited and integrates Christian values into its curriculum.

	Liberty University — Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees: Liberty was founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell in 1971, and it's mission then remains the same today: Training Champions in Christ. Liberty's strength is built on its foundation of being the world's largest evangelical Christian university. Popular degree programs include: MA in Religion, Master of Divinity, MBA, M.Ed. in Teaching, MS in Nursing, and BS in Criminal Justice. All of their degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and available for online learning. Read in-depth review of Liberty University.
	Lancaster Bible College — Bachelor's Degrees: Lancaster Bible College currently offers a BS in bible studies as its only online degree program. Because this course of study is taught entirely online, students will be able to study the Scripture at their leisure, allowing them to balance schoolwork with current family and/or work obligations.
	American Military University — Bachelor's Degrees: The Bachelors of Religion degree at the American Military University is a 121 credit, 41 course program. Students are provided with a dynamic curriculum that covers a breath of study between western and eastern religions. Courses include Introduction to the Study of Religion, Introduction to World Religions, Religious Existentialism, and Sociology of Religion.
	Argosy University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees: While not affiliated with any branch of Christianity, Argosy University does offer a Doctor of Education in pastoral community counseling online.
	Ohio Christian University — Associate's and Bachelor's degrees: Ohio Christian was originally called Mount of Praise Bible College, which was founded in 1948. Headquartered in Circleville, Ohio, OCU is affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union and offers degree programs in liberal arts and business.
	Grand Canyon University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees: Founded over 60 years ago, GCU is one of the most popular online Bible colleges in the nation. Originally founded in 1949 as a Southern Baptist college, Grand Canyon is now a non-demoninational Christian university.
	Ashford University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees: Headquartered in Clinton, Iowa, Ashford University is a private liberal arts university with Catholic roots. Ashford offers a wide array of education choices, with degree programs in business, computing, education, health, science, criminal justice, and liberal arts.
	Colorado Christian University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees: Colorado Christian University was founded as Denver Bible Institute in 1914. Currently, CCU has an enrollment of over 3,400 students nationwide and offers online accredited degrees across a wide array of subjects, all committed to their mission of cultivating knowledge and love of God.
	Benedictine University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees and Certificates: Benedictine is a private Catholic university headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It offers degree programs in business, education, health, and criminal justice.
	LeTourneau University — Bachelor's and Master's degrees: LeTourneau is headquartered in Longview, Texas and has established itself as one of the leading non-denominational Christian universities that offers classes online. With degree programs in business, education, and psychology, LeTourneau integrates Christian leadership values into all of its courses of study.
	Amridge University — Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees: Amridge University was founded as the Alabama Christian School of Religion in 1967, is currently affiliated with the Churches of Christ, and has its main campus headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. Today Amridge offers degrees in liberal arts, bible study, counseling, criminal justice, and business.
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