Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Moody Bible Institute at a Glance
Moody Bible Institute (MBI) is a private evangelical Christian Bible college in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Historically, MBI has maintained positions that have identified it as non-charismatic, dispensational, and generally Calvinistic. MBI operates undergraduate programs and Moody Theological Seminary at the Chicago campus. The Seminary also operates a satellite campus in Plymouth, Michigan. MBI also operates Moody Aviation, an un…
1886
140 years old
3,442
88
18 acres
Identity
Is Moody Bible Institute Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Moody Bible Institute is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,399 — 16% below average — while paying $22,221/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Moody Bible Institute has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Moody Bible Institute compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #68 of 154 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #3 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #4 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #5 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #68 | Moody Bible Institute | 32 | $22,221 | $45,399 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Moody Bible Institute's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IL.
Best Programs at Moody Bible Institute
The highest-earning program at Moody Bible Institute is Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries at $32,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology at $19,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries graduate from Moody Bible Institute earns $32,000, while a Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduate earns $19,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,221/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | $32,000 | $32,000 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | $29,500 | $29,500 |
| Religious Education | $22,200 | $22,200 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | $19,900 | $19,900 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 1,510 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,221
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,399
- Median Student Debt
- $18,149