Pastoral Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

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

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,927 in Marion, IN.

Program Analysis

At $35,736 per year, Pastoral Counseling graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion earn slightly above the $33,641 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 6.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Pastoral Counseling career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $24,250 against $35,736/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Pastoral Counseling is offered at just 4 schools in our analysis. Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion's #2 ranking should be read in that context.

The limited growth from $35,736 to $37,185 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

Pastoral Counseling has a registered apprenticeship option through Chaplain Service Support (Military Only) with a median wage of $45,120/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
42
Score
43
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
6.0x
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
$62,336
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 →

About Pastoral Counseling Careers

Your work will be deeply hands-on and people-focused. As a director of religious activities, you might spend your week planning a youth group retreat, coordinating volunteers for a community food drive, and developing educational curricula. In a clergy role, your days could involve drafting a sermon, providing one-on-one counseling for a family crisis, and officiating life’s major ceremonies.

Read the full Pastoral Counseling career guide →

Compare & Explore

Pastoral Counseling Overview

Pastoral Counseling at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion's Pastoral Counseling program score?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Pastoral Counseling. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is there demand for Pastoral Counseling workers?
The career paths mapped to Pastoral Counseling have roughly 70,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →