About Grand Canyon University

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University. is a college. Located in Arizona, which is a city setting in Arizona, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 46,297 full time undergraduate students, and 29,537 full time graduate students.

The Grand Canyon University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 353 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Grand Canyon University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate56%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at GCU are considered Selective, with ,246% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Grand Canyon University.

Grand Canyon University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    368 Students rated on-campus housing 4.4 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    241 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    380 Students rated campus food 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    431 Students rated campus facilities 4.4 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    432 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 66 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    424 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    425 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    434 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Grand Canyon University?

456 Students rated Grand Canyon University

Gavin - 01/21/2024

I think Grand Canyon University is an absolutely amazing college to attend and would recommend it to any upcoming students that are striving to go to a well-rounded college. Not only is there very nice and modern housing, but there also is so many different food options to choose from. These options range from Subway all the way to Chick-fil-A.

Dylan - 11/20/2023

In my opinion it is an amazing school there are many opportunities to play sports and many different learning opportunities. overall, the community is very kind and very easy to make new friends. they are really focused on helping to reach your goals for the future.

Antonio - 11/08/2023

I believe that GCU is a university that offers a lot of great opportunities for students to be able to afford higher education. I applied to 18 schools and I was accepted into all of them while being awarded $1.1 million in scholarships and GCU turned out to be the least expensive university for me to attend. There is not a Greek life culture but that is replaced by student leadership opportunities and it allows for a large culture centered around servant leadership. I believe that the academics could be improved however there are ample opportunities for students to receive academic help and there is an entire research sector that most students do not know about. I am a part of the engineering program and it has a lot of room to grow, however the faculty are truly dedicated to helping their students.

Brinn - 07/31/2023

I love Grand Canyon University. Though, like with every school, there are things I wish I could change, like the wait for food, or the number of parking garages, I truly believe the good outweighs the bad. I have been lucky enough that I found my people here, and there are so many clubs, sports, and activities that allow others to find their people too!

Grand Canyon University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Grand Canyon University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Grand Canyon University is 56%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I'm not sure the person I was as a high school senior would have given the person I am now the time of day, because I wasn't interested in school then. But if I could have such a discussion, it might go like this: "Lynn, the time will come when what and how you want to study will be available; keep your eyes open for that opportunity. It will happen when you least expect it, and when it doesn't seem possible to attend school, learn the material well, and get the grades you deserve--but you need to know that it is possible, and it will happen for you. Even though you will care for family members with disabilities and lose at least one parent before it happens, that will only be a temporary detour on yoru journey. You have the power to leave this world better than you found it, and when you find the right place and time to get the education you want, take a chance on yourself and don't look back. You can do this. You will do this."

    Read all  227 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    How you never know what is going on and that everything is online.

    Read all  51 answers
  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Grand Canyon University is a private Christian school where noone is afraid to be themselves.

    Read all  43 answers
  5. Describe the students at your school.

    Most of my classmates are hard working, focused, and determined as most of them also work full-time and have families to take care of like myself.

    Read all  41 answers
  6. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish i would have listened to everyone else who kept telling me to stay focused. My first year I was surrounded by temptation. I strayed off course and my studies fell behind. I was an honor student in high school but I ended up failing my first year of college due to partying. I started a different school the following fall and aced my schedule. I had to leave school a year before graduation due to financial instability. Now I am 29 years old trying to finish up my degree online when I should have already graduated.

    Read all  37 answers
  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who like smaller sized campuses, and probably christian.

    Read all  35 answers
  8. What's unique about your campus?

    I consider the feeling of acceptance is the best thing about Grand Canyon University. The moment I walked onto the campus I felt accepted, no matter what skin color or walk of life you came from. Once you were on campus you were one of their own. It was an amazing feeling that can't be traded for anything else in the world. It is truly a one of a kind campus and faculty.

    Read all  34 answers
  9. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    My advisory team and the librarians. My advisors keep me focused and invest their time and effort on mye personally. The librarians have helped me a numebr of times to find the one reference I absolutely need and cannot find, and always have answers for me in moments. Between them It's like having a full team of experts assisting me with keeping my studies on track and on topic. All this in addition to the professors and tutors who help with any challenges I have in the classroom.

    Read all  33 answers
  10. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    This university has a strong Christian based environment. It would probably not suit anyone who is not a Christian or interested in learning about Christianity.

    Read all  32 answers
  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    What I find unique about Grand Canyon is that they do not pressure you to become a Christain just cause they are a Christain based university. They are very welcoming and want everyone to feel at home if they are out of state. The school in general turns no on down and tries to help you with whatever questions or problems you have. The programs offered there are very efficent and will end up helping you in the long run.

    Read all  31 answers
  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Empowerment of the student; an affordable private university education; superior support. GCU has the best librarians to assist with research, excellent enrollemnt and academic advisors, and outstanding professors ready to help students to excel.

    Read all  29 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    In all honesty I dont find anything to be frustrating. I feel the school is still building to become a better campus for its students and future students so that they feel safe and welcomed. The olny thing that is kind of a damper on the school is that the neighborhood is not the safest but the school makes sure to keep it secured 24/7 for our safety.

    Read all  29 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    The academics are very interesting.

    Read all  13 answers
  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I absolutely love going to GCU, the class sizes are a lot smaller than ASU or NAU for sure it gives the student a lot of one on one time with the teachers. The professors are always willing to help out and open their schedule to meet with you. The people there are also very kind and my adviser is so helpful every time I have a question.

    Read all  12 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Family activities

    Read all  7 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The main stereotype that other individuals in my community believe about online schooling is that it is not actually a school and that the students are wasting their time and money attending a school in this online manner. This stereotype is not accurate because as long as the University is accredited the students are not wasting their time or money in attending an online University.

    Read all  6 answers

Student Body

Students

72%

female

28%

male

46,297

Total Undergrad Enrollment

29,537

Total Grad Students

68%

Out-Of-State

31%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

21

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

8%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
17%
% Hispanic/Latino
19%
% White or Caucasian
48%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

99% of students attending Grand Canyon University receive some sort of financial aid. 42% were awarded federal grants. While 71% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,975

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$8,550

Room and Board

26,325

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$18,613
$30 - $48K
$19,230
$48 - $75K
$21,563
$75 - $110K
$23,014
$110K & UP
$22,847

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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