Is an MBA from a Christian University Worth It? My Personal Experience at Grace Christian University

Before starting my MBA, I already had a solid academic foundation with an associate degree in business from BRCC and a bachelor’s in business (Finance Emphasis) from LSU. These programs gave me the technical knowledge I needed in areas like finance, marketing, and operations. But as I stepped further into adulthood and started shaping my long-term goals, something deeper started stirring in me: I wanted my faith to be more than just a side note in my career — I wanted it to be the foundation!

I’ve always felt a calling in my heart to have Christ at the center of everything I do — and pursuing an MBA that reflects that calling just felt right. What really pushed me in that direction was discovering organizations like Solving the World’s Greatest Problems, a faith-driven movement inspiring entrepreneurs to use business as a tool for redemptive impact. I was also influenced by Sovereign’s Capital, a firm that invests in faith-driven companies and created the SOVF ETF, showing that faith and finance don’t have to be separate worlds.

When I was deciding between an in-state MBA and a Christian university, what ultimately won me over was the opportunity to learn every topic through the lens of Christianity and Scripture. That’s something no secular program could offer. And now, halfway through the MBA program at Grace Christian University, I can honestly say: I made the right choice.

Why I Chose Grace Christian University for My MBA

Before committing to any MBA program, I did what most people should do — research. I looked into both in-state public universities and private options, but something kept nudging me to explore Christian schools. I knew I wanted more than just career advancement but to deepen my walk with Christ while sharpening my leadership and business skills.

As I looked into Grace Christian University, I ended up having several meaningful conversations with professors and staff. Their openness, encouragement, and passion for faith-centered education stood out.

But what ultimately sealed the deal were the actual course topics. These weren’t just generic business classes — they were thoughtfully designed to approach critical topics through a Christian worldview. A few that really caught my attention:

• Financial Analysis for Managers – taught with stewardship and ethical responsibility in mind.

• Business as a Calling – where you examine how work is not just a job, but a mission field.

• Financial Stewardship – a deep dive into managing resources with a biblical mindset.

• And what really impressed me: the curriculum doesn't shy away from modern challenges like AI, cryptocurrency, and emerging tech — it explores them through the lens of Scripture and impact.

  
  

Grace didn’t just offer business theory but a framework for how to be a Christ-centered leader in a world full of change and complexity.

I also knew that I wasn’t just getting this degree for a title — I was doing it to better lead in both my current career in finance and my long-term vision of building NicholasTreyJ Enterprises. I wanted to understand organizational structure, business operations, and leadership strategy from both an executive level and a biblical one. That combination is rare and incredibly valuable.

Pursuing an MBA was always about the bigger picture for me: learning how to build, lead, and serve as a Kingdom-minded entrepreneur.

Who This Type of MBA Is For (and Who It’s Not)

While a Christian MBA offers a unique perspective and approach, it's not the right fit for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of who will likely benefit most from this type of program and who might want to look elsewhere.

Who Should Consider It:

1. Christ-Centered Professionals: If you’re someone who believes that your work isn’t just a job, but a calling, this program is a great fit. The ability to view your career through the lens of faith allows for deeper meaning, and a Christian MBA will reinforce that.

2. Entrepreneurs with a Purpose: If you’re planning to start your own business (or already have), this program can offer you both practical skills and a biblical framework for managing finances, people, and resources. Whether you’re running a small business or building a larger enterprise like NicholasTreyJ Enterprises, this program will help guide your strategy through biblical principles.

3. Those Interested in Ethical Leadership: If you care deeply about leading with integrity and want to make ethical, God-honoring decisions in business, then this type of MBA will equip you with tools to navigate tough decisions. It dives deep into leadership, decision-making, and financial stewardship from a Christian perspective.

4. Career Changers Seeking Faith Integration: If you’ve been in a secular job but feel a deep desire to integrate your faith into your professional life, this MBA could be just what you need. It’s a perfect option for professionals wanting to pivot into leadership or business management, all while staying aligned with their Christian beliefs.

5. Lifelong Learners with a Desire for Growth: The people who thrive in this program are those who want to grow holistically — both in their careers and in their faith. If you value both personal and professional development and are open to seeing both through a faith-driven lens, you’ll find great value in the coursework.

6. Those Who Want to Run Their Own Race: If your long-term vision is to work for a Fortune 500 company and rise up the corporate ladder to a C-suite role or CEO position, this may not be the ideal program for you. However, for those like me, who want to build their own business (or career), form their own path, and potentially be involved with a Christian-based firm along the way, this is exactly the path to take. For me, it’s about running my own race and building something that reflects my faith, which is why a Christian MBA fits my vision perfectly.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere:

1. Those Seeking a Secular Business Education: If you're strictly looking for a traditional, secular business education with no regard for faith integration, this program might not be right for you. The emphasis is on Christian values, and not everyone is interested in that.

2. Students Focused Solely on Immediate Career Advancement: If your primary goal is to accelerate your career through a high-paying job at a big corporation with minimal focus on ethical, faith-based leadership, a Christian MBA might feel more personal and philosophical than you need at this stage in your career.

3. People Looking for an Intense, Full-Time, Campus-Based Program: This is an online MBA, which provides flexibility for those balancing jobs, family, and other commitments. However, if you’re looking for a traditional, full-time, campus-based experience that’s more socially driven, then this may not provide the environment you’re seeking.

4. Those Who Aren’t Interested in Faith-Based Perspectives: If you’re not interested in learning business through a Christian framework — and you’re set on a purely secular approach to business — then a Christian MBA could feel restrictive. It’s best suited for those who genuinely want to integrate faith into their professional lives.

5. Aiming for Wall Street or Silicon Valley: If your goal is to land a job on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley, or with a similar competitive, fast-paced environment, this program might not align with your aspirations. While it offers a strong education, it’s not an Ivy League school and may not carry the same prestige in those particular industries. That said, it still provides a solid foundation in business with an added emphasis on ethical leadership and faith integration.

   
   
   
   

Curriculum Highlights and What I’m Learning

One of the reasons I chose Grace Christian University for my MBA is the unique integration of business principles with biblical values. The curriculum is designed to provide both technical business skills and a solid ethical framework rooted in Christianity. As I go through the program, I’m constantly seeing how these two worlds of faith and business intersect, which gives me a deeper understanding of both fields.

Key Courses and Experiential Learning

One of the standout courses I’ve experienced so far is Financial Analysis for Managers. This course is practical and has helped me analyze financial statements, interpret key financial metrics, and understand year-over-year changes within a business. It has been eye-opening to see the nuances of financial performance and how crucial these details are to making strategic business decisions. This is a crucial skill, whether I’m applying it to NicholasTreyJ Enterprises or managing finances for any future endeavors.

In addition, we've gone in-depth into Financial Stewardship — a key biblical principle that’s been woven throughout our studies. Learning how to manage resources responsibly and in alignment with Christian values has been incredibly impactful. Understanding the responsibility we have to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us is something that will shape not only my approach to business but also my life as a whole.

The GLO-BUS Simulation has also been an incredible part of the curriculum. It was a competitive experience where we simulated running a company and compared our results against other students, both from Grace and from other schools. This hands-on simulation gave me a deeper understanding of real-time decision-making and its impact on a business. It also helped me learn how to adjust and respond to financial shifts, market changes, and the competitive landscape, which is invaluable for anyone planning to run their own business.

Weekly Devotions and Biblical Discussions

In addition to the academic rigor, the program integrates weekly devotions in each class. These devotions are a unique and meaningful part of the learning experience. We discuss various biblical topics and reflect on how they apply to our lives as business professionals. This offers a refreshing way to ground our studies in faith, ensuring that our leadership and decisions align with biblical principles. It’s also insightful to engage with classmates who share similar values, making these discussions feel very personal and impactful.

Practical Application through Thought Experiments

Another unique aspect of the program is the emphasis on thought experiments. In class, we frequently engage in exercises where we consider how we would approach various business challenges if we were managing our own organization. This has been incredibly helpful in making the lessons feel relevant and actionable. We’re asked to integrate our faith into our decision-making processes and think about how we would structure our company, manage finances, or lead employees while maintaining Christian values. These exercises have helped me apply what I’m learning directly to NicholasTreyJ Enterprises, as I think about the workplace culture I want to create and how to build a business that is Christ-centered.

More to Come: Organizational Leadership and Marketing

I’m only halfway through the program, and there’s still so much more to come! In future courses, I’m looking forward to delving into organizational leadership and marketing. These courses will be especially valuable as I continue to build my own business, NicholasTreyJ Enterprises, and work toward leadership roles in the future. I anticipate that these classes will not only provide me with the technical knowledge I need but also help me understand how to lead an organization in a Christ-centered way.

Capstone Project: A Comprehensive, In-Depth Challenge

As I approach the final stages of my MBA journey, I’m especially excited for the Capstone Project, which will serve as a culmination of everything I’ve learned throughout the program. This project will allow me to apply all the skills and insights I’ve gained in a real-world, in-depth business analysis. I’ll be able to focus on creating strategic solutions, analyzing organizational structures, and implementing financial strategies — all through the lens of Christian stewardship. It’s going to be an opportunity to really integrate Christian business principles into a comprehensive, actionable plan, and I’m eager to see how it all comes together.

A Unique Story: How My MBA Journey Creates a Distinctive Resume

One of the most valuable aspects of pursuing my MBA at Grace Christian University is the story it’s helping me craft for my career. My educational journey has been anything but linear and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I started with an Associate’s in Business from Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), where I learned foundational business principles. From there, I transferred to LSU, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Business/Finance. At LSU, I gained the technical knowledge that would be crucial in understanding the core of business operations. But as I moved through my studies, I began to feel a deeper calling — a desire to integrate my faith and business in a way that aligned with my values and purpose.

That’s when I found Grace Christian University, where the MBA program isn’t just about business fundamentals — it’s about viewing business through the lens of Christianity. By choosing Grace, I’m able to continue developing my technical skills while also pursuing a deeper, more meaningful connection between my work and my faith. This is what makes my journey so unique.

Having experience at community college, a large public university, and now a Christian private university has given me a broad perspective that sets my resume apart. I’ve learned from different environments, developed a diverse skill set, and gained a richer understanding of how to approach business with integrity and purpose. Each phase of my education has contributed to who I am as a professional and as a Christian business leader.

From Struggles to Success: A Story of Perseverance

As a kid, I wasn’t always the academic success story that I am today. In fact, I failed 4th grade and bounced around schools throughout junior high and high school. But looking back, those challenges shaped me and gave me the resilience I carry with me today.

Education was never easy for me, but I always knew that the journey mattered. Each setback taught me something — and I kept moving forward. Now, here I am, working on my MBA at Grace Christian University, and I can honestly say I never imagined I’d be where I am today.

This journey from struggling in school to pursuing a graduate degree is a powerful testament to the fact that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish. If you’re willing to put in the work and stay true to your goals, even the most difficult beginnings can lead to a rewarding and successful future. My educational path has created a unique and compelling story that’s shaping both my career and my life.

Is an MBA Worth It? The Personal Consideration

It’s no secret that many people are starting to question whether an MBA is worth it anymore, especially with the rising costs of education and the shifting job market. Many argue that in today’s world, experience and networking often matter more than a degree. But for me, pursuing an MBA at Grace Christian University made perfect sense.

The MBA is a significant investment of both in time and money and for some, it may not be the right path. However, I had the right circumstances to justify it: my desire to run my own business, my passion for integrating faith with work, and the clear alignment between my personal goals and the program’s offerings. For me, the benefits far outweigh the costs, especially considering the personal and professional growth I’m experiencing.

If you're considering an MBA, it's important to weigh the benefits carefully and assess whether it aligns with your long-term goals. Think about what you want to achieve in your career, how an MBA will support those ambitions, and whether it’s the right investment for you at this stage of your life.

Why Grace Christian University? A Recommendation

If you’re looking for an MBA program that goes beyond just theory and equips you to make a real difference in the business world with a Christ-centered approach, Grace Christian University is an excellent choice. The curriculum is rigorous yet grounded in values that matter — such as financial stewardship, ethical leadership, and Christian business practices. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable, and they genuinely care about your success, both professionally and spiritually.

For me, the ability to discuss business topics in-depth while also integrating biblical principles has made the experience incredibly rewarding. The program is designed to equip you with not only technical business skills but also the ethical framework to navigate the complexities of the business world with integrity. Plus, the affordability of the program and its flexibility make it an excellent option for someone working full-time or balancing other commitments. The professors understand the demands of life outside of school and are always supportive, helping you stay on track without compromising the quality of your education.

If you’re someone who feels called to lead in the business world with a Christian foundation, this program will not only prepare you professionally but will also help you grow personally in your faith. It’s a great fit for those looking to balance work, life, and studies, without sacrificing the depth of learning and personal growth that comes from a top-tier education.

If this resonates with you, I highly recommend checking out Grace Christian University and exploring how their MBA program can help you achieve your goals.

Click here to learn more about Grace Christian University's MBA program.