Grand Canyon University: Understanding the Acceptance Rate and Admissions Process
Grand Canyon University (GCU), established in 1949, has evolved from a small liberal arts college into a comprehensive university with a diverse range of academic programs and a growing student population. Situated in Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is committed to academic excellence and the holistic development of its students, aiming to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed for career success. This article delves into GCU's acceptance rate, admissions process, and other factors relevant to prospective students.
GCU's Acceptance Rate: A Closer Look
Grand Canyon University welcomes applicants 16 years old and older and is a fairly selective school. The university received 47,978 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 63.7% annual growth. In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Grand Canyon University was 60.4% (28,960 admissions from 47,978 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 77.9%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 63.7%, while admissions grew by 26.9%. GCU accepted 78% of students who applied for the Fall 2022 semester. GCU’s acceptance rate reflects GCU's dedication to maintaining an environment of learning, growth and opportunity.
Admissions Requirements and Process
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality. All academically qualified individuals willing to uphold our established mission and standards are encouraged to apply. Reference the University Policy Handbook for any specific admission requirements for your program.
Here's a breakdown of the admissions process:
Who Can Apply: Grand Canyon University welcomes applicants 16 years old and older for admission consideration. GCU does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, disability or any other classification protected by law in its programs and activities. All academically qualified individuals willing to uphold our established mission and standards are encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate Admissions: Qualified high school and transfer students are encouraged to apply for GCU’s undergraduate programs. Admission requirements differ, depending on whether you want to study on our traditional campus or online.
Graduate Admissions: Admission into one of our master’s and doctoral degree programs is based on your GPA. Explore our graduate admission requirements to see if you qualify for admission to a GCU program.
Transfer Students: Students with at least a 2.25 GPA and 25 or more transferable credits from an accredited, GCU-approved college or program, are welcome to apply for admission. To view additional information on our policies, visit the Transfer Center.
Application Process: When you’re ready to apply to GCU, our university counselors are here to help you get started. Whether you are a new college student or transferring from another school, we will guide you through the admission process and answer your questions about life as a Lope. A university counselor can help guide you through the online admission process. New or returning students may apply online or request entrance into a new program or modality by filling out the form on this page. We encourage you to work with a university counselor during the application process. Below are steps to admission:
Additional Factors Considered
Freshmen students are asked to submit their ACT or SAT scores to Grand Canyon University when filling out the application. Usually, an ACT score of 18 - 23 or a 960 - 1,150 SAT score is the range that applicants have greater chances to be accepted.
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GCU also allows submissions of Advanced Placement (AP) credits and Credit for life experiences.
Enrollment and Student Demographics
In 2023, Grand Canyon University had a total enrollment of 107,563 students. The full-time enrollment at Grand Canyon University is 25,180 students and the part-time enrollment is 82,383. This means that 23.4% of students enrolled at Grand Canyon University are enrolled full-time.
The enrolled student population at Grand Canyon University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 45.7% White, 22.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19% Black or African American, 4.19% Two or More Races, 3.21% Asian, 0.942% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.525% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.
Students enrolled at Grand Canyon University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (31.3%), followed by White Male (22.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (16.3%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (37.8%), followed by White Female (15.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (6.67%).
Costs and Financial Aid
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Grand Canyon University is $16,390, which is $14,614 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $22,239. The average yearly cost of room and board at Grand Canyon University was of $7,800 in 2023. The cost of room and board did not change between 2022 and 2023. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $800. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.
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In 2023, 73% of undergraduate students attending Grand Canyon University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 53% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.
The average traditional campus student in 2024-25 qualified for approximately $7,300 in GCU-funded scholarships each academic year. Scholarships may be awarded based on sixth semester transcripts (high school transcripts submitted after Junior year of high school). When final official transcripts are received, GCU reserves the right to rescind or modify the scholarship if it is determined that eligibility was not achieved. GCU reserves the right to change or decline scholarship awards for any reason. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited.
To minimize debt, and graduate with the least amount of debt possible, GCU encourages students to accept the most beneficial sources of financial assistance first, such as scholarships, grants, work-study (if eligible), student worker positions, and GCU’s interest-free payment plan options. Compare the terms of federal loans before applying for private loans. Please review the terms and conditions of student loans, including grace periods and payment plan options.
Academic Programs and Outcomes
In 2023, 27,272 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Grand Canyon University. 75.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 24.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (13,019 degrees), 2.42 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (5,371 degrees).
In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Grand Canyon University was Registered Nursing with 3,721 degrees awarded.
GCU offers a diverse range of academic faculties and departments designed to meet the interests and career goals of prospective students. The College of Business includes departments focused on areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management, providing comprehensive training for careers in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers programs that prepare students for clinical practice, healthcare management, and health sciences research, reflecting the growing demand in the healthcare industry. Additionally, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences covers disciplines such as psychology, history, communication, and liberal arts, promoting critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Graduation and Retention Rates
The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Grand Canyon University was 68%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Grand Canyon University had a retention rate lower than its peers.
In 2023, 37% of students graduating from Grand Canyon University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 45% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 46% within 200%.
The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Grand Canyon University is Female and Asian (58.3% graduation rate).
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