by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are passionate about your faith and would like to spend your time spreading the word and evangelizing, consider majoring in Missionary Studies.
Missionary Studies majors take classes in world religions, cultural anthropology, evangelism, theology, foreign language, and contemporary issues to prepare for a career as a missionary. You will study the Bible and learn the skills to preach your faith and spread it to other cultures.
A major in Missionary Studies involves the study of Missions/missionary Studies And Missiology. Read on to learn the important information every missionary studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering missionary studies programs.
Across the country, missionary studies is a popular field of study, with 1,249 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Missionary Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 87 schools to determine the best overall colleges for missionary studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of missionary studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Missionary Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations missionary studies graduates commonly enter.
Students who decide to pursue Missionary Studies often do so in order to devote their lives to evangelism. This major places a strong emphasis on interpersonal and communications skills; you must be able to explain the word of God to others clearly and expose others to your faith in a non-confrontational manner. Since many missions are done overseas, students should be proficient in a foreign language so they can communicate effectively with other cultures and spread their faith.
A degree in Missionary Studies prepares students to work full time as a missionary as well as other professions in the religious field. This is often a life commitment and much more than a 40-hour workweek job. Students should be passionate about this field and willing to make it their life calling
If you think you may be interested in Missionary Studies, it is recommended that you go on some short-term missionary trips. This will allow you to learn evangelistic skills and get hands-on experience spreading your faith. This experience will also allow you to decide if this is what you would like to devote your life to.
Skills developed in a missionary studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a missionary studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several missionary studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 416 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 319 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 399 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 85 |
People currently working in careers related to missionary studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 59.3% |
| Master’s degree | 12.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in missionary studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates often become missionaries following graduation. You will lead trips either within the United States or overseas. This degree will prepare you for a position of leadership within your church group.
Missionaries may work either independently or with a church group. Many raise their own funds to take trips or live in areas where they feel a calling. Some graduates may also work for non-profit organizations or churches. Most people choose this job due to a sense of calling, and positions are often not high-paying.
Studying missionary studies can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to missionary studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to missionary studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of missionary studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,015 |
| 4 years | $29,516 |
| 5 years | $31,974 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for missionary studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers missionary studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
With 87 different missionary studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased missionary studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering missionary studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Missions/Missionary Studies | 1,235 |
| Church Planting | 10 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Other | 4 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 15,135 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 3,603 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 3,230 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 1,235 |
| Religious Education | 1,230 |
| Religious Music and Worship | 477 |
| Religious Institution Administration and Law | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
