Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois, United States · Est. 1886 · Seminary / Theological School

Evangelical Bible college in Chicago training Christian workers since 1886.

  • Founded 1886 by evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody
  • Private evangelical Christian Bible college
  • Located in Chicago, Illinois with satellite campuses in Spokane, Washington and Plymouth, Michigan
  • 3,442 students (2018); 88 full-time faculty
  • Accredited by Higher Learning Commission, Association for Biblical Higher Education, and National Association of Schools of Music
  • Operates Moody Theological Seminary, Moody Aviation, Moody Radio, and Moody Publishers

Academics

Moody Bible Institute offers undergraduate degrees including Bachelor of Arts in theology, Bible, and various ministries; Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Missionary Aviation Technology; a two-year Associates of Biblical Studies; and a five-year Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music. Graduate programs through Moody Theological Seminary include Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and Master of Counseling/Psychology. The institute also offers non-degree certificates in TESOL and Biblical Studies. MBI's mission is to train students for full-time ministry in churches and parachurch organizations.

Campus & Student Life

The main campus occupies 18 acres in an urban setting in Chicago's Near North Side. MBI operates satellite locations: Moody Theological Seminary–Michigan in Plymouth, Michigan (established through a 2010 merger with Michigan Theological Seminary), and Moody Aviation in Spokane, Washington, offering undergraduate flight school and aviation mechanic programs. The institute's athletic teams compete in the NCCAA and are known as the Archers. Campus colors are blue and white.

Media & Publishing Ministries

Beyond education, Moody operates significant media ministries. Moody Radio, established in 1926 as America's first non-commercial Christian radio station (WMBI-AM, now WXES), has grown into the Moody Broadcasting Network operating 36 commercial-free stations and providing programming to over 700 outlets via satellite. Moody Publishers, founded in 1894 as the Bible Institute Colportage Association, publishes evangelical and Christian literature. Moody Magazine, launched in 1900 as The Institute Tie, ceased publication in 2003.

Institutional History & Leadership

Founded in 1886 by Dwight Lyman Moody following his vision to train 'gap-men' for city mission work, the institute was formally established as the Chicago Evangelization Society and renamed Moody Bible Institute after Moody's death in 1899. The institution has been led by ten presidents, with Mark Jobe serving as president since January 2019. In recent years, MBI has undergone significant changes including the 2017 closure of its Spokane campus (excluding Moody Aviation), policy changes regarding female pastoral ministry access following Title IX complaints, and a major campus redevelopment project approved by Chicago authorities in 2021–2022.

Founded
1886
Type
Seminary / Theological School
Courses
12
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationEvangelical Christian; Higher Life movement
Websitehttps://www.moodybible.org
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
12
Avg career outcomes
$45.4K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources