Was Business School Worth It? Here’s What I Learned at Tulane.

This graduation photo popped up on May 17th—and it made me pause.

There’s been a lot of debate lately around the cost vs. benefit of higher education. It’s a valid discussion. Tuition has soared, student debt is real, and many are right to ask: Is college still worth it?

For me, my time at Tulane University’s MBA program was one of the most challenging—and transformational—periods of my life.

Balancing Life and the MBA Grind

At the start of the program, I was working full-time. One month in, my wife and I welcomed our first child. The timing was tough—but it shaped me.

My cohort was incredibly supportive, but the workload was no joke. We began with Corporate Communication and Macroeconomics, and soon dove into Statistical Decision Models and Strategic Marketing. I quickly realized that to grow as a business leader, I needed to become the best version of myself—for my family, my cohort, and the future I was determined to build. What drove me wasn’t just a diploma.

I entered the program with a vision: break into investment banking, become a dealmaker, and someday lead a private or publicly traded company employing hundreds or even thousands of people. I still carry that vision today.

Learning Business on a Global Stage

What set this MBA apart wasn’t just the academics—it was the international immersion. After our first year, we traveled to Paris in partnership with one of the oldest business schools in the world- École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, also known as—ESCP Business School. There, we were tasked with a real business challenge: identify the company’s pain points, evaluate strategic positioning, and propose viable global expansion strategies, using a joint venture or creating a Flagship location in a major city. The experience was immersive and eye-opening.

Working alongside ESCP’s graduating students—many of whom are now global executives—offered insight into how business is done across borders. The relationships I built in those rooms remain with me to this day.

From Paris to Dublin: Thinking Like a Global Strategist

In our second year, we headed to Dublin, with sessions hosted at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in partnership with Trinity College (Trinity University). Before that, I made a stop in London to get a better understanding of the region’s business landscape and economic climate.

Our challenge in Ireland focused on helping international companies develop strategic plans for global expansion. We acted as consultants, building real-world frameworks based on what we’d learned over the past year. As part of that experience, we consulted with U.S. firms, learning why many relocated their headquarters to Ireland—driven by favorable tax policy at the time. It gave us front-row insight into how businesses assess risk, opportunity, and long-term strategy.

So, Was It Worth It?

Yes. But not just because of the degree. The biggest lesson? Whether or not college is for everyone, one of its greatest values is the space it gives you to learn about yourself. You face struggle—academic burnout, time management, identity shifts, juggling responsibilities—and you find out what you’re truly capable of. Some people learn these lessons in the field. Others through life experience. For me, it took running three different businesses in my 20s and pursuing undergrad and graduate education in my 30s.

Final Thoughts for Grads and Lifelong Learners

College may not be your path. But if it is, use those 4 years wisely—they can save you a decade of avoidable mistakes. In studying real companies and real failures, I learned how to think critically, how to lead under pressure, and how to make better decisions.

At the end of the day, your time and money are investments. Just like with any asset, the return depends on how intentional you are with your input. If you don’t value what you’re learning, that will show up in the value you provide to others.

Education won’t solve everything. But it can open your eyes, challenge your assumptions, and launch you into the future with clarity and confidence.

To all the graduates out there: Congratulations. The journey is just beginning.

So, whether you're 18, 38, or 58—it’s never too late to invest in yourself. Just make sure the return is worth the cost.