Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies

Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies

By James Barham

Published: Jun 22, 2021
Updated: Mar 20, 2023

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in biblical studies degree programs to prepare students for becoming a counselor, Christian education director, writer, pastor, or missionary.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Biblical Studies Degrees

Biola University

40%

Liberty University

40%

Moody Bible Institute

34%

Oral Roberts University

34%

Regent University

32%

Faulkner University

30%

Dallas Baptist University

28%

Houston Christian University

25%

Belhaven University

25%

LeTourneau University

24%

Baptist College of Florida

100%

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

100%

The King's University

100%

Liberty University

99%

Moody Bible Institute

98%

Ozark Christian College

98%

Dallas Baptist University

94%

Houston Christian University

85%

Oral Roberts University

85%

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

85%

Regent University

19 to 1

Moody Bible Institute

19 to 1

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

18 to 1

Liberty University

17 to 1

Truett McConnell University

17 to 1

Toccoa Falls College

16 to 1

Oral Roberts University

16 to 1

Houston Christian University

16 to 1

Trinity Baptist College

15 to 1

LeTourneau University

15 to 1

Biola University

$44,382

Houston Christian University

$35,500

Dallas Baptist University

$33,620

LeTourneau University

$33,490

Oral Roberts University

$31,558

Cairn University

$31,020

Arizona Christian University

$30,624

The Master's University

$28,870

Belhaven University

$27,825

Faulkner University

$23,490

Dallas Baptist University

$19,872

LeTourneau University

$16,875

Cairn University

$16,596

Regent University

$15,590

Colorado Christian University

$13,474

Toccoa Falls College

$12,240

Biola University

$12,006

Oral Roberts University

$11,670

Houston Christian University

$11,000

Belhaven University

$10,530

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

11%

Luther Rice College & Seminary

11%

Central Christian College of the Bible

12%

Bethesda University

12%

Manhattan Christian College

13%

Heritage Christian University

13%

Ozark Christian College

13%

The King's University

14%

Ohio Christian University

15%

College of Biblical Studies

15%

Regent University

41%

Luther Rice College & Seminary

42%

Trinity Baptist College

43%

Manhattan Christian College

48%

LeTourneau University

54%

Biola University

61%

Toccoa Falls College

62%

Belhaven University

64%

Faulkner University

65%

Heritage Christian University

67%

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

2 to 1

Heritage Christian University

7 to 1

Central Christian College of the Bible

8 to 1

Johnson University

8 to 1

Belhaven University

8 to 1

Baptist College of Florida

8 to 1

Ohio Christian University

8 to 1

Bethesda University

10 to 1

The King's University

10 to 1

The Master's University

11 to 1

Bethesda University

$6,560

College of Biblical Studies

$6,576

Luther Rice College & Seminary

$9,088

Central Christian College of the Bible

$9,250

Heritage Christian University

$11,632

Baptist College of Florida

$12,150

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

$12,860

Trinity Baptist College

$13,180

Ozark Christian College

$14,260

Moody Bible Institute

$14,335

Heritage Christian University

$4,482

Baptist College of Florida

$4,500

Central Christian College of the Bible

$4,950

Luther Rice College & Seminary

$5,688

Bethesda University

$6,200

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

$6,750

Truett McConnell University

$6,912

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

$7,650

Liberty University

$7,847

The Master's University

$8,400

Key Takeaways

If you choose to earn a bachelor’s in biblical studies, you are in for an immense blessing that will help you in your personal and ministry life. After all, not everyone has the passion and the opportunity to study the Scriptures.
Offering relevant online courses, a biblical studies degree is your gateway to Christian-affiliated careers like church administrators, educators, ministers, and pastors.
The availability of schools to offer an online bachelor’s in biblical studies provides people the best academic education for pursuing their religious calling.

Featured Programs

An Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies Is A Valuable Investment

Earning a bachelor’s in biblical studies is challenging, especially if you balance job, family, and school. Thankfully, many alternatives are available for the convenience of busy working adults. Many online schools offer this degree program, which has paved the way to accommodate more people bent on pursuing their religious calling.

In a biblical studies online degree program, your range of study includes the wisdom and poetry literature of the Jewish bible, biblical interpretation, discussions of the history of Israel and its ancient Eastern context, and a survey of the prophets (major and minor) of the Old Testament. This Biblical Studies program will also push you to investigate the teachings and life of Jesus Christ based on gospel accounts.

Within this online bachelor’s in biblical studies degree program, you will discover how the early Church and its theology were developed, including the epistles of Paul and other New Testament writers. You will learn more about apologetics—providing a rational argument for the Christine doctrine and Christian faith—from the philosophical and historical perspective and textual examination to uncover why you believe what you believe.

Throughout the program, your teaching and Bible study skills will grow since you will also be introduced to effective tools and methods for knowing the bible.

Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies Degree Online Career Paths

Pastors: Most people who earn their bachelor’s in biblical studies opt to earn their graduate degrees (MDiv, ThM, MAR), and become pastors. With a biblical studies degree, you will gain more knowledge of the field’s theological and biblical framework to help you prepare for serving as a leader or visionary in the church, society, and the world in the Christian worldview. Some options include:

Associate Pastor
Children’s Pastor
Youth Pastor
Teaching Pastor
Community Life Pastor
Spiritual Development Pastor

Missionary: A missionary is someone who is commissioned by the Lord to make disciples. Many Christians believe that Christian missionaries are people who leave their homes and head to developing nations to evangelize. Although many missionaries also go to “first world” countries, and are there to witness and build a community in Christ. Even missionaries prefer to work in community development or plant churches based on the Christian doctrine.

Directors: Most churches have full-time staff members, and earning a degree in biblical studies will help you land a job as a director of a ministry branch in the church. As the church director, you will be the one to make decisions, and work closely with other members of the church, which is why you need to have a strong biblical foundation to draw upon.

There are different types of church directors:

Christian Education Director
Children’s Program Director
Vacation Bible School Director
Youth Director
Worship Director
Women’s Ministry Director

Teacher: Many biblical studies degree holders work as teachers. If you plan to become one and prefer teaching in the public school system, you need to earn certification from the state where you live. But for many private schools, including Christian schools, teacher certification is no longer required. However, you need a degree in biblical studies so you will have a model for how Christian education works and a leg up on your competitors.

Chaplain: Chaplains are ministers that provide religious counseling and services. As a chaplain, you can consider working in various contexts depending on your passions and gifts. You can be a chaplain in places like:

Prisons
US Military (Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy, Army)
Professional Sports Teams
Hospitals
Colleges and Universities
Police and Fire Departments

Human Service Workers: Students who have the heart and passion for serving people in need can pursue further education so they can work in the social services and counseling fields. Popular careers in this field include:

Caseworker
Family and Child Social Worker
Substance Abuse Counselor
Probation Officer
School Guidance Counselor
Public Health Social Workers
Mental Health Counselor
Clinical Psychologist

Frequently Asked Questions About Biblical Studies Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies opens the door for many different career paths.

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, and learn how to apply this understanding in organizational and community settings. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to practice their oral and written communication skills while exploring the historical elements of the scriptures.

You can pursue either your Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies, either online or in person.

The roughly 120 credits needed can be completed in about four to five years, and can qualify you to work as a counselor, Christian education director, writer, pastor, or missionary. Graduates, however, may want to check with their specific organization for additional ordination and educational requirements.

Learn more about how to major in religious studies.

Best Online Bachelor's in Biblical Studies Degree Programs

How do we determine the best online biblical studies bachelor's degree programs?

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Directors, Religious Activities and Education Salaries by Percentile in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of Directors, Religious Activities and Education for each percentile in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

SVG Attribution: Wikipedia

Total Employed: 21000

10%

15%

50%

15%

10%

bell-curve

2903036440469806148090470

10th Percentile25th Percentile75th Percentile90th Percentile

Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies Degree Programs

Online Biblical Studies Programs Looking for You

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.