Grand Canyon University (GCU) vs California State University-Northridge (CSUN)

Grand Canyon University (GCU) and California State University-Northridge (CSUN) are two distinct institutions of higher learning with unique characteristics. GCU, a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to CSUN's 48%. GCU's student body is predominantly undergraduate, while CSUN has a more balanced mix of undergraduate and graduate students. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, with GCU excelling in business, education, and nursing, and CSUN known for its strength in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. While GCU has a higher graduation rate (63%) than CSUN (58%), CSUN offers a more diverse student body, with a larger international student population. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two universities and make an informed decision about which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	California State University-Northridge	Grand Canyon University
Overview
Location	Northridge, California	Phoenix, Arizona
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	71.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.1%	82.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	23,656	36,861
Total number of admissions given out	20,842	30,534
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,716	7,620
Yield rate	22.6%	25.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,857 Out of state: $43,737	$32,100
Average net price	$8,708	$21,644
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	$16,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,316 Meal plan: $4,506	Room/dormitory: $5,300 Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $10,882	100.0% Average amount $10,225
Students receiving federal student loan	14.0% Average amount $4,779	60.0% Average amount $5,346
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $12,360	8.0% Average amount $12,937

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,496 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%	65,870 Men 29.3% Women 70.7%
Graduate students	5,612 Men 33.0% Women 67.0%	37,202 Men 22.5% Women 77.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	1.7%	73.1%
International students	6.0%	1.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,029	15,937
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Hawaii Nevada Texas	Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	26:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	54.2%	44.7%
Dropout rate	33.7%	52.9%
Transferred out	5.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $108,158 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,831 Year 2: $92,124 Year 3: $98,535 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,745 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $97,852 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,455 Year 2: $88,907 Year 3: $96,626 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,863 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $92,559 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $80,493 Year 3: $92,252 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,281 Year 2: $83,669 Year 3: $89,964 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,782 Year 2: $75,047 Year 3: $84,221 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,859 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $82,977 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,180 Year 2: $76,863 Year 3: $82,194	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,397 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $125,189 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,451 Year 2: $96,705 Year 3: $100,941 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,965 Year 2: $87,641 Year 3: $91,610 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,940 Year 2: $77,476 Year 3: $80,825 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,319 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $68,008 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,248 Year 2: $64,265 Year 3: $66,703 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,382 Year 2: $57,047 Year 3: $64,355 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,308 Year 2: $59,621 Year 3: $62,793 Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,625 Year 2: $60,082 Year 3: $61,171 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,083 Year 2: $55,605 Year 3: $59,588

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences in location and campus environment between Grand Canyon University (GCU) and California State University, Northridge (CSUN)?

GCU is located in Phoenix, Arizona, offering a primarily residential campus with a strong emphasis on campus life and activities. CSUN is situated in Northridge, California, in the San Fernando Valley, providing a more commuter-focused environment with a larger student body and a more diverse surrounding community. CSUN's location offers proximity to Los Angeles and its associated opportunities.
How do the academic programs and offerings compare at GCU and CSUN?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. GCU is known for its strong programs in business, education, and nursing, often with a focus on online learning options. CSUN has a broader range of programs, including strong offerings in the arts, humanities, sciences, and engineering, with a greater emphasis on research opportunities. CSUN also has a more established reputation in certain fields due to its long history.
What is the typical cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, at GCU versus CSUN?

GCU's tuition and fees are generally higher than CSUN's. CSUN, as a public university, offers significantly lower tuition rates for California residents. However, GCU often provides various scholarships and financial aid packages to help offset costs. It's essential to check the most current tuition and fee information on each university's website, as these figures can change annually.
How does the student body composition differ between GCU and CSUN?

GCU has a more religiously affiliated student body, with a strong Christian influence. CSUN has a much more diverse student body in terms of ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and religious affiliation, reflecting the diversity of Southern California. CSUN also has a larger overall student population.
What are the key differences in campus culture and student life at GCU and CSUN?

GCU fosters a strong sense of community through its on-campus housing, athletic events, and faith-based activities. CSUN offers a more diverse range of student clubs, organizations, and social events, reflecting the broader interests of its student body. CSUN's campus life is also influenced by its proximity to Los Angeles, providing access to various cultural and entertainment opportunities.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity compare between GCU and CSUN?

GCU generally has a slightly less selective admission process compared to CSUN. CSUN, as a public university within the California State University system, has specific admission requirements based on high school GPA, standardized test scores (though these are changing), and course completion. GCU considers a variety of factors in its admission decisions, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at GCU and CSUN?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation. CSUN, due to its location in the Los Angeles area, provides access to a wider range of internship opportunities in various industries, including entertainment, technology, and business. GCU also has strong industry connections, particularly in Arizona, and offers career services tailored to its specific program offerings.
How does the availability of on-campus housing differ between GCU and CSUN?

GCU has a more extensive on-campus housing system, with a greater percentage of students living in university-provided housing. CSUN has a more limited number of on-campus housing options, and a larger proportion of students commute from off-campus residences. This difference reflects the different campus environments and student demographics.
What are the athletic programs like at GCU and CSUN?

GCU has a growing NCAA Division I athletic program, with a focus on basketball, baseball, and other sports. CSUN also has a Division I athletic program, competing in the Big West Conference, with a wider range of sports offerings, including baseball, soccer, and volleyball. Both universities offer opportunities for student athletes.
Which university, GCU or CSUN, is better suited for online learning?

GCU has a well-established and extensive online learning program, making it a strong choice for students seeking online degree options. CSUN also offers some online courses and programs, but its primary focus is on in-person instruction. Therefore, GCU is generally considered to have a more robust online learning infrastructure.

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