What The Master's University does

The Master's University (TMU) is a private, nonprofit Christian university headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, founded in 1927 as Los Angeles Baptist College and operating under its current name since a 1985 reorganization when Dr. John MacArthur became president. TMU delivers roughly 150 undergraduate, graduate, and online academic programs from a biblical worldview, serving approximately 3,200 students including about 1,200 residential undergraduates on its Placerita Canyon campus, plus online, dual enrollment, international, homeschool, and graduate students. The university distributes approximately $30 million in financial aid annually, with 99% of students receiving some form of assistance, and is currently led by President Dr. Abner Chou (since 2019) with Chancellor Dr. John MacArthur providing spiritual guidance.

TMU's product portfolio spans four primary delivery channels: on-campus residential undergraduate programs, TMU Online for remote learners, graduate programs anchored by biblical counseling degrees (BA, MABC, DMinBC) aligned with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), and dual enrollment for high school students. Distinctive offerings include the IBEX Israel Bible Extension (15-week semester at TMU's own campus in Israel), The Master's Chorale, and GO! Global Outreach mission trips. Underlying technology is primarily an online learning management system supporting TMU Online, with no disclosed proprietary platforms, AI products, or API integrations. The Math3ma Institute and Center for Thinking Biblically extend the brand into STEM and worldview content but are framed as research and resource hubs rather than commercial products.

TMU's revenue model is tuition-and-fee-based with a heavy scholarship overlay, supplemented by donations, alumni giving, and the John MacArthur Trust. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer recruitment through admissions counselors, campus visits, church partnerships, homeschool co-ops, dual enrollment, and athletic and academic scholarships (including the full-tuition Steadfast Scholarship, up to $57,800 athletic awards, and Church Partner Scholarships). Distribution is hybrid: a domestic residential channel, a global TMU Online channel, and a global IBEX Israel channel. TMU is part of a broader affiliated ministry ecosystem including The Master's Seminary, Grace To You, Grace Community Church, Grace Ministries International, and TMAI, which collectively provide referral pipelines, content, and donor support.

Name

The Master's University

Legal name

The Master's University

Website

https://masters.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Master's University is a private nonprofit Christian university in Santa Clarita, California, offering roughly 150 undergraduate, graduate, and online programs from a biblical worldview to about 3,200 students, anchored by a residential campus, TMU Online, and the IBEX Israel study program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Christian university education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate theological education
• Online biblical counseling degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clarita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: TMU generates revenue primarily through tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. The university offers residential and online educational services with associated fees.
2. Donations and Charitable Giving: The university's Development Department manages fundraising efforts, alumni donations, and the John MacArthur Trust which provides support for operations, development and expansion of partner ministries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Master's University is a private, nonprofit Christian university that delivers Christ-centered higher education across more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Its core offerings include on-campus residential undergraduate degrees in Santa Clarita, California, graduate theological and biblical counseling degrees, fully online degree programs via TMU Online, dual enrollment for high school students, and a 15-week Israel-based study program (IBEX) operated from the university's own campus in Israel.

Product overview

The Master's University offers a comprehensive educational portfolio comprising on-campus undergraduate programs, online degree programs, graduate degrees, and dual enrollment options. The university's flagship offerings include its Biblical Counseling programs (B.A., M.A., D.Min.), the unique IBEX Israel study abroad program, and The Master's Chorale. With over 150 programs taught from a biblical worldview, TMU provides education at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels both residential and online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Master's Seminary (TMS): Seminary division offering Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees for training pastor-theologians.
• TMU Online
• IBEX (Israel Bible Extension)
• Grace Community Church
• Grace To You
• The Master's Fellowship
• Center for Thinking Biblically
• The Math3ma Institute
• Biblical Counseling Center
• GO! Global Outreach

Products and services

• On-Campus Undergraduate Programs Traditional residential undergraduate degree programs offered at the Santa Clarita, California campus, covering biblical studies, sciences, engineering, humanities, and more, taught from a biblical worldview.
• TMU Online Online undergraduate and graduate degree programs enabling remote students to earn degrees in biblical counseling, biblical studies, and other fields.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level degree programs including Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) and Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling (DMinBC), along with other graduate theological degrees.
• Dual Enrollment Online dual enrollment program allowing high school students to earn college credits while still in secondary school.
• IBEX (Israel Bible Extension) The Master's University's own campus in Israel where students spend 15 weeks studying, exploring, and living in the Promised Land. TMU is the only Christian university with its own campus in Israel.
• Biblical Counseling (B.A.) Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with emphasis in Biblical Counseling, based on ACBC's model, emphasizing Scripture's sufficiency without integrating secular psychology.
• The Master's Chorale A fifty-member auditioned choir representing students from almost every academic major, performing locally and on annual tours.

Quantifiable outcome

• #1 CPA pass exam rate (NASBA)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The Master's Seminary (TMS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1986, TMS has trained the future generations of faithful pastor-theologians. Part of the same ministry network as TMU, sharing doctrinal statements and leadership. Graduates of TMU often continue to TMS for advanced theological education.
• Grace To You (GTY)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time. Since 1969. GTY is the media ministry of Grace Community Church led by Dr. John MacArthur. Provides sermon content, resources, and connects to TMU's mission.
• Grace Community Church (GCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Sun Valley, GCC's mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Home church of Dr. John MacArthur and key ministry partner for TMU.
• Grace AdvancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrace Advance Teams (GATs) provide focused support to Grace Advance churches around North America. Part of the affiliated ministry network.
• The Master's Academy International (TMAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to fulfilling the Great Commission by training indigenous church leaders to be approved pastor-teachers, able to equip their churches to make biblically sound disciples.
• The Master's Fellowship (TMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn association for connecting and networking pastors and missionaries. Part of the broader ministry ecosystem.
• Grace AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA home-based private school featuring in-person instruction by credentialed teachers, complementing homeschool education for students K-12.
• Grace ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal biblical content with compelling storytelling to encourage and edify the church.
• Grace CurriculumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncluding 'Generations of Grace' and 'Adventure Club', publications are biblically uncompromising, high-quality, and affordable curriculum.
• Hymns of GraceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncouraging a renewal of congregational singing in churches and homes through hymn publications.
• Institute for the Christian Life (ICL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeries of online courses providing advanced doctrinal, biblical, and ministry training for church leaders and committed students of God's Word.
• Center for Thinking Biblically (CTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA hub of resources from experts ranging from theologians to paleontologists designed to equip believers with a thoroughly biblical way of thinking about every aspect of the world.
• The Math3ma InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEsteeming the voice of Christ in STEM through research, exposition, and dialogue. A group of academic researchers working to advance mathematics, computer science, engineering, machine learning, and life sciences.
• Grace Ministries International (GMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMI supports over 100 missionary families serving around the world, including leadership training, church strengthening, church planting and Bible translation work.
• Faith Christian School PSPminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA K-12 Co-Op committed to building a biblical foundation while pursuing academic excellence.
• Legacy Christian AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor'Sharpening Minds. Shepherding Hearts.' Christian, Independent, College-Preparatory School, Grades K-11.
• Shepherds' ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe opportunity for men in church leadership to be challenged in their commitment to biblical ministry and to find encouragement together as servants of the Chief Shepherd.
• Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMU's biblical counseling program is based on ACBC's model, emphasizing Scripture's sufficiency. Students can become certified through ACBC upon completing the program.
• Women's HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMU partners with Women's Hope for biblical counseling resources and podcast content focused on women's issues.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Dallas Theological Seminary:

Broad incumbents

• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit Christian university in Phoenix with extensive online and ground programs. Acts as a broad incumbent in online Christian higher education, directly competing with TMU Online for adult and graduate learners.
• Liberty University: Largest private Christian university in the U.S., with massive online enrollment and comprehensive residential programs. Operates as a broad incumbent in faith-based higher education with overlapping mission and program structure.

Direct peers

• Regent University: Private Christian university in Virginia Beach offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with strong biblical worldview integration. Comparable in mission, online delivery model, and graduate program focus.
• Biola University: Private Christian university in La Mirada, California, offering comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and online programs from an evangelical Protestant perspective. Closest geographic and mission peer to TMU.
• Bob Jones University: Private fundamentalist Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, offering K-12 through graduate programs with rigorous doctrinal standards. Comparable in conservative theological identity and comprehensive program portfolio.
• Wheaton College: Top-tier evangelical Christian liberal arts college in Illinois offering residential undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Comparable in academic reputation, doctrinal commitment, and emphasis on Christian worldview integration.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-based evangelical Christian institution focused on biblical education, theological training, and ministry preparation. Comparable in theological rigor, biblical counseling program, and ministry-focused graduate degrees.
• Point Loma Nazarene University: Private Christian university in San Diego, California, offering residential undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Comparable as a Southern California Christian university with similar program breadth and student demographics.
• Azusa Pacific University: Private Christian university in Azusa, California, with comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and online programs rooted in Wesleyan/evangelical tradition. Comparable Southern California peer with similar program portfolio and faith-based mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mastersuniv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TheMastersUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/mastersuniv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/the-master's-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/mastersuniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Master's University