Grand Canyon University
private · Founded 1949 · Phoenix, AZ
Acceptance Rate
60.40%
Enrollment
107,563
Tuition & Fees
$18,136
Graduation Rate
43.00%
Retention Rate
68.00%
Off-Campus Needed
79,597
GCU Report Card
Letter grades compare this school against national university benchmarks.
Academics
Selectivity, test scores, retention, and faculty access.
Value
Cost, aid, grants, and post-graduation earnings.
Diversity
Economic access, geographic mix, and gender balance.
Location
Safety, walkability, transit, and student nightlife.
Campus
Housing capacity, student body scale, and campus setting.
Outcomes
Graduation, retention, employment, and earnings.
Grades are benchmarked against national profile data. View methodology
Can You Get Into GCU?
GCU admitted just 28,960 of 47,978 applicants — a 60.40% acceptance rate
Admissions Snapshot
20% below state avg
12% above state avg
Test Scores (Middle 50%)
SAT Reading & Writing
540–620
SAT Math
518–555
ACT Composite
19–24
Coming to GCU from out of state?
73% of freshmen aren't from Arizona. If you're moving for GCU, start your housing search early — only 26.00% of students can live on campus.
Browse Housing Near GCUWhat Will GCU Cost You?
Most students don't pay sticker price — 73.00% receive financial aid
Sticker Price
73% below national avg
Per-credit cost: $465 (part-time)
Financial Aid & Grants
Your estimated net price
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing Cost
GCU's on-campus room and board adds up to $9,900 per year ($825/month). Many students find that off-campus apartments offer more space, kitchen access, and flexibility — often at a lower monthly cost.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus (avg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Housing | $6,000 | Varies |
| Monthly Equivalent | $500/mo | See listings |
| Meal Plan | $3,900 (required) | Flexible |
| Availability | 18,485 beds only | Hundreds of options |
What Can You Study at GCU?
Most Popular Undergraduate Majors
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
3721 graduates · 86.13% women
Business Administration and Management, General.
1578 graduates · 53.68% women
Human Services, General.
1009 graduates · 84.44% women
Elementary Education and Teaching.
774 graduates · 93.02% women
Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician.
467 graduates · 88.44% women
Special Education and Teaching, General.
458 graduates · 91.92% women
Community Organization and Advocacy.
377 graduates · 91.78% women
Social Work.
359 graduates · 88.3% women
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
331 graduates · 63.44% women
Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management.
325 graduates · 88.92% women
Your major at this school
Grad students need housing too
With 36,634 graduate students and only 18,485 total dorm beds, most grad students live off campus.
See Apartments Popular with Grad StudentsWhat's It Like at GCU?
Phoenix, AZ — city
Student Body
Where Freshmen Come From
From your state to this school
Student Demographics
GCU Photos
Campus images from the university profile
Neighborhoods near GCU
Where students live around Grand Canyon University — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
How Does GCU Compare?
Institutional resources and student-faculty ratios
Student-Faculty Ratio
21:1
Peer Institutions
Schools that GCU reports as peers for academic and admissions benchmarking.
Will You Succeed at GCU?
68.00% of freshmen return for sophomore year — 43.00% graduate within 6 years
Graduation Rates
11% below state avg
23% below state avg
6-Year Graduation by Group
GCU Reviews
Student perspectives on academics, campus life, and housing fit
Be the first student to review this university.
79,597 GCU Students Need Off-Campus Housing
With 107,563 students and only 18,485 dorm beds, 74% of GCU students live off campus.
70,929
Undergraduates
36,634
Graduate Students
79,597
Need Off-Campus Housing
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with Grand Canyon University.