Overview of Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a for-profit Christian college situated on 90 acres in Phoenix, Arizona. Academics are backed by a 20 to 1 student/faculty ratio. Students stay active via 13 student organizations and clubs. The GCU ‘Lopes play in the NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference (PacWest) with teams such as men’s and women’s golf, Track & Field, and swimming and diving.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 90,253 (49,556 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 29 percent male/71 percent female
• 32 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $17,050
• Books: $800
• Room and Board: $8,550
• Other Expenses: $5,700
• Total Cost: $32,100

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 97 percent
  • Loans: 70 percent
• Mean Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $7,074
  • Loans: $8,396

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business Administration, Elementary Education, Nursing, Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 64 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 30 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 37 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Swimming, and Diving, Tennis, Wrestling, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Cross Country, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Beach Volleyball

Overview of Grand Canyon University Admissions

With a 73 percent acceptance rate, Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a for-profit college that isn’t overly selective. GCU is test-optional, meaning that students can select whether to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside the admission offices’ mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                       

• Grand Canyon University Acceptance Rate: 73 percent
• Grand Canyon University has test-optional admissions

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Grand Canyon University, it should be easy for you to gain admission to the schools below. If Grand Canyon University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

International Baptist College, Prescott College, Dine College

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Grand Canyon University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admission to these schools.

Arizona Christian University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Grand Canyon University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

Applying to Grand Canyon University

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.gcu.edu/admissions/requirements/undergraduate-admissions.php

Undergraduate Application Link(s):  https://www.gcu.edu/rmi/apply-now

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.gcu.edu/admissions/requirements/graduate-and-doctoral.php       

Graduate Application Link(s):  https://www.gcu.edu/rmi/apply-now