Top 10 Christian Colleges With Online MBA Programs in 2027
Updated on:
September 18, 2026
Religious students can earn their Master of Business Administration online through several top Christian colleges and universities in the United States.
While there are private colleges and universities in the U.S. that are not affiliated with any particular religion, many of the country's private schools are Christian. Some of these are specifically focused on teaching religion or theology, but many offer programs in other fields, including business.
For business professionals who want to further their careers, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is often the next step. Online MBAs provide a flexible learning path and are offered at many Christian institutions. Keep reading to learn more about online Christian MBAs.
Best Christian Colleges That Offer MBA Programs
Online Christian MBA programs are fairly common at many Christian schools. We've highlighted some of the best Christian colleges offering online MBAs below.
1. Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University is a private Baptist institution in Campbellsville, Kentucky, with a mission centered on affordable, faith-based education that supports both personal and professional growth. Its online MBA reflects that same emphasis, pairing core business training with the flexibility working students need.
The program spans 36 credits and typically takes about two years to complete, with ten concentrations to choose from, including church management, healthcare management, international business, and marketing. The church management track in particular sets Campbellsville apart, giving students a path to apply business principles directly within ministry settings. Campbellsville is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its online MBA carries additional accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
2. Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a nondenominational Christian school located in Lakewood, Colorado. Its online MBA is built around the idea of servant leadership, encouraging students to lead with the same humility and ethical grounding found in Christian teaching, while still building the practical skills needed to run a business or organization.
Students choose from seven emphasis areas, including economics, leadership, and project management, along with options in advanced accounting, cybersecurity, enterprise agility, and healthcare administration. The program requires 39 credits and can be completed in as little as 18 months, with full-time and part-time paths available. CCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3. Concordia University, St. Paul
Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) is part of the Lutheran Concordia University system and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its online MBA is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to keep building their business expertise without stepping away from their careers.
The program offers ten emphasis areas, including artificial intelligence, digital marketing, finance, and organizational leadership, letting students tailor the degree to where they want their career to go next. A general MBA track runs 30 credits, while adding an emphasis area brings the total to 36 credits, with most students finishing in about two years. CSP is accredited by the HLC.
4. Creighton University
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University brings a Jesuit, Catholic tradition to its online MBA, with an emphasis on ethical decision-making and values-based leadership woven throughout the curriculum. As part of the Jesuit Business Network, credits earned here transfer smoothly to more than 20 other Jesuit institutions, a meaningful perk if your career or life circumstances shift mid-program.
Creighton's Heider College of Business holds dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for both business and accounting, placing it among a small percentage of business schools worldwide with that distinction. The 33-credit program offers concentrations in areas like artificial intelligence, finance, healthcare management, and leadership, giving students room to align their degree with where the business world is headed.
5. Liberty University
An evangelical Christian university founded by Jerry Falwell, Sr., Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers one of the more extensive online MBA catalogs among faith-based schools. Students can pursue the standard 45-credit MBA or an accelerated 36-credit Christian MBA track, both covering core areas like strategic marketing, organizational structure, and human resources.
Concentrations here range widely, from executive coaching and international business to nonprofit leadership and management, giving students the flexibility to point their degree toward a specific industry or role. Liberty is regionally accredited by SACSCOC, with its business programs holding additional accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
6. McKendree University
McKendree University, a private Methodist institution in Lebanon, Illinois, keeps its online MBA intentionally focused, offering a general track alongside four specialized concentrations: corporate finance, cyber defense, digital marketing, and human resource management. That smaller footprint means a more targeted curriculum without sacrificing depth in any one area.
The 36-credit program is designed with the working adult in mind, and graduates leave with skills that apply as readily to nonprofit or ministry settings as they do to the corporate world. McKendree is accredited by the HLC, with its online MBA carrying additional accreditation from the IACBE.
7. Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School, based in Malibu, California, frames its online MBA around purpose-driven leadership, tying practical business training to Pepperdine's broader Christian mission. Students work through real business challenges for brands like Adobe and Coca-Cola as part of the program's applied learning component, giving the degree a hands-on edge beyond standard coursework.
The 52-unit program can be completed in as few as 24 months and doesn't require the GMAT for admission. Seven concentrations are available, including entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and organizational change, plus a general management track for students who want broader exposure across business functions. Pepperdine is accredited by AACSB.
8. University of the Cumberlands
A private Christian school in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands built its online MBA to prepare graduates for business, government, and nonprofit careers alike. The program has drawn national recognition for its affordability, consistently ranking among the lowest-cost accredited options in the country.
At 31 credits, the program runs leaner than many competitors, with concentrations spanning blockchain, entrepreneurship, public administration, and strategic management. That range gives students room to specialize in an emerging field or a more traditional management path, depending on where they want their career to go. Cumberlands is accredited by IACBE.
9. Villanova University
Villanova University, a private Catholic research institution outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, built its online MBA around a mix of synchronous and asynchronous coursework, giving students real-time faculty interaction without sacrificing flexibility. Mentors and career services coaches are built into the program, adding a layer of support that goes beyond the coursework itself.
The 48-credit program offers seven specializations, including applied artificial intelligence and machine learning, international business, strategic management, and sustainability, reflecting a curriculum that's kept pace with where business is heading. Villanova is accredited by AACSB.
10. Xavier University
Xavier University brings a Jesuit, Catholic identity to its online MBA, with coursework in Cincinnati, Ohio, built around core areas like business ethics, operational analysis, and managerial economics. The program leans into community as much as curriculum, giving students consistent opportunities to build relationships with faculty and classmates despite the online format.
Full-time and part-time paths are both available, so students can pace the degree around their existing work and life commitments. Xavier is accredited by AACSB.
Benefits of Attending a Christian School for MBA Programs
The students who will benefit the most from attending a Christian school will be those who are passionate about their beliefs and want to study while surrounded by like-minded individuals. Christian schools provide a bubble of sorts that allows students to learn without influence from the outside world.
Another benefit of attending a Christian school for an MBA is that many programs offer specialized education for those seeking to apply their business degree in a church, ministry, or other religious setting. For example, Campbellsville University offers a concentration in church management.
Admissions Requirements for Christian MBA Schools
Admission requirements for MBAs at Christian colleges can vary. Common requirements include:
- a bachelor's degree, which may or may not need to be in a business-related field
- a minimum GPA
- Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
- work experience
- letters of recommendation
- personal essay
You can usually find the full admissions requirements on the program website.
FAQs About Christian MBA Colleges
While Christian colleges aren't for everyone, some people greatly prefer the experience they provide. We've answered some frequently asked questions about earning an MBA from a Christian college so you can determine if this option is right for you.
How Much Does an MBA Degree Cost at a Christian College?
The cost of an MBA at a Christian college can vary significantly between schools. For example, the University of the Cumberlands charges $355 per credit, while Villanova charges $1,350 per credit. The cost will also depend on the financial aid you use.
Do I Need To Believe in the Same Faith To Attend a Christian Institution?
Whether or not you need to believe in the same faith will depend on the Christian school. Some schools accept all students, regardless of religion. Others require students to be Christian, though most are flexible with the specific denomination.
What Can I Do With an MBA Degree From a Christian College?
Typically, you can do the same things with an MBA from a Christian college that you can do with an MBA from any other accredited school. These are often roles in leadership, management, and administration.
The specific jobs you can do may vary based on your concentration. For example, an accelerated Christian entrepreneurial MBA program will lead to a different career path than an MBA program in finance or human resources.
Are Online MBAs Worth It?
If you're a professional who wants to further their career, earning an MBA online can absolutely be worth it. Online MBAs allow you to pursue your career goals without disrupting your current job.
Is There a 1-Year MBA in the U.S.?
While most MBAs take one to two years to complete, there are some schools that offer one-year MBAs. Schools like Franklin University, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), and Western Governors University (WGU) all offer online MBAs that can be finished in as little as one year.
Explore Online MBAs
Each of these schools brings its own take on Christian higher education, from Campbellsville's church management concentration to Villanova's applied AI specialization, but all ten pair a faith-centered mission with a legitimate, accredited business degree. Learn.org's collection of business school profiles can help you dig deeper into any of these programs as you narrow down your options.
