Moody Bible Institute

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

Evangelical Bible college founded in 1886, training Christian workers through undergraduate and graduate programs.

  • Founded in 1886 by evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody
  • Private evangelical Christian Bible college with 3,442 students (2018)
  • Main campus in Chicago, Illinois; satellite locations in Spokane, Washington and Plymouth, Michigan
  • 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
  • Non-charismatic, dispensational, and generally Calvinistic theological tradition

Academics

Moody Bible Institute's mission is to train students for full-time ministry in churches and parachurch organizations. The undergraduate program offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in over two dozen fields including theology, Bible, and various ministries, plus Bachelor of Science degrees in Biblical Studies and Missionary Aviation Technology. A two-year Associates of Biblical Studies degree and five-year Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music are also available, along with non-degree TESOL and Biblical Studies certificates. The Moody Theological Seminary offers graduate programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and Master of Counseling/Psychology, with a satellite campus in Plymouth, Michigan.

Campus & Student Life

The main Chicago campus spans 18 acres in an urban setting on the Near North Side. MBI operates an 88-member full-time academic staff. The institute maintains athletic affiliations with the NCCAA and uses the Archers as its mascot, with school colors of blue and white. Beyond its Chicago headquarters, MBI operates Moody Aviation in Spokane, Washington, offering undergraduate flight school and aviation mechanic programs, and maintains a graduate seminary campus in Plymouth, Michigan.

Media & Publishing Ministries

In addition to educational programs, Moody operates significant Christian media ministries. Moody Publishers, founded in 1894 as the Bible Institute Colportage Association, publishes evangelical and nondenominational works. 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.

Recent Institutional Changes

In 2016, MBI changed its pastoral ministry program policy to allow female students after Title IX complaints. The Spokane campus (excluding Moody Aviation) closed in November 2017 due to enrollment declines. Mark Jobe became president in January 2019 and announced a long-range campus redevelopment plan, with the 'North Union' project approved by Chicago authorities in 2021–2022 to redevelop portions of the campus and fund scholarships and endowment.

Founded
1886
Type
Seminary / Theological School
Courses
11
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
11
Avg career outcomes
$45.4K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources