Grand Canyon University (GCU) vs U of A
Grand Canyon University (GCU) and University of Arizona (UA) stand as distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to prospective students. GCU, a private Christian university, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. In contrast, UA, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs, including highly ranked programs in engineering, business, and the arts. While GCU excels in nursing and business, UA shines in fields like law, medicine, and agriculture. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, such as graduation rates, student demographics, and cost of attendance, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Grand Canyon University |
![]() University of Arizona |
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Overview |
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Location | Phoenix, Arizona | Tucson, Arizona |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.8% | 87.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | N/A | 1120 - 1370 |
ACT range | N/A | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 36,861 | 48,065 |
Total number of admissions given out | 30,534 | 41,946 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,620 | 8,436 |
Yield rate | 25.0% | 20.1% |
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) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $32,100 |
In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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Average net price | $21,644 | $17,242 |
Tuition | $16,500 |
In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,300
Meal plan:
$3,800
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Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $10,225 |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,346 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $12,937 |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
65,870
Men 29.3% Women 70.7% |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
37,202
Men 22.5% Women 77.5% |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 73.1% | 48.8% |
International students | 1.2% | 6.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 15,937 | 7,036 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 44.7% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 52.9% | 14.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 19.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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