The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that around 29% of jobs require applicants to have completed at least some college coursework.
The unemployment rate for high school graduates is 9%, but those with a bachelor’s degree have an unemployment rate of just 5.5%.
Those with a high school diploma make, on average, $746 per week. With an associate degree, you can earn an average of $887, and a bachelor’s degree can push that figure up to $1,248 per week.
To help curate this list of the best online Christian colleges, we looked at schools across the country that offered associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. All of the schools that we included deliver these programs in an online format for greater flexibility.
As you are comparing Christian colleges, it’s important to look at accreditations to ensure that the program and school are reputable. This also ensures that your degree will be accepted by employers and that you can transfer credits if needed. The programs on our list are accredited by bodies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Christian colleges usually offer a variety of degrees, including those at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate level. The higher the level, the more rigorous the coursework. There will also be different core classes and electives required depending on whether your degree is in the science or arts field.
In general, regional accreditations signify a higher quality of educational program than national accreditations. But as long as the program you are applying for is accredited, it should be legitimate.
The job outlook for your career depends on your specific profession. For example, the job growth projection for those in pastoral ministry is 4%, but those who are going into counseling can expect 22% job growth. In general, just having a degree of some sort increases your chances of finding a job.
The certifications or licenses that may be required to get a job after graduation depends on your field. Make sure to talk to an advisor to ensure you are prepared.
Here are some questions to ask when researching online Christian colleges:
When you are preparing to apply to a college, keep in mind all of the application deadlines as well as those for financial aid. You should give yourself plenty of time to gather everything you need to submit before the due dates.