Thomas Edison State University (TESU) vs Grand Canyon University (GCU)

Thomas Edison State University and Grand Canyon University, while both offering flexible and accessible online learning, present distinct characteristics that cater to different student needs. Thomas Edison State University stands out with its open admissions policy, allowing almost anyone to enroll, while Grand Canyon University maintains a more selective approach with an acceptance rate of 88%. In terms of student demographics, Thomas Edison State University boasts a diverse student body with an average age of 34, while Grand Canyon University attracts a younger crowd with an average age of 26. When it comes to popular majors, Thomas Edison State University excels in business and management, while Grand Canyon University offers a wider range of programs, including healthcare, education, and psychology. With a graduation rate of 28%, Thomas Edison State University presents a challenging academic environment, while Grand Canyon University's 62% graduation rate reflects its commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best
Grand Canyon University logo

Grand Canyon University

Thomas Edison State University logo

Thomas Edison State University

Overview

Location Phoenix, Arizona Trenton, New Jersey
Campus setting City: Large City: Small
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%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 82.8% Open Admission
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 36,861
Total number of admissions given out 30,534
Admitted students who chose to enroll 7,620
Yield rate 25.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A
High school GPA Required N/A
Recommendation letters Not required N/A
High school transcript Not required N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $32,100
In state: $14,552

Out of state: $16,712
Average net price $21,644
Tuition $16,500
In state: $7,182

Out of state: $9,342
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,300

Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $10,225
Students receiving federal student loan 60.0%
Average amount $5,346
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $12,937

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 65,870
Men 29.3% Women 70.7%
8,754
Men 60.5% Women 39.5%
Graduate students 37,202
Men 22.5% Women 77.5%
967
Men 40.1% Women 59.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 73.1% N/A
International students 1.2% 0.8%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 15,937 N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? No N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 20:1 20:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 44.7% N/A
Dropout rate 52.9% N/A
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,759
  • Year 2: $103,449
  • Year 3: $108,462
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,418
  • Year 2: $72,782
  • Year 3: $85,834
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $82,105
  • Year 2: $82,204
  • Year 3: $84,262
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $73,635
  • Year 3: $78,671
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,609
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $68,060
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,547
  • Year 2: $53,775
  • Year 3: $61,484
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,509
  • Year 2: $49,631
  • Year 3: $60,453
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,206
  • Year 2: $53,927
  • Year 3: $58,672
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,272
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $55,974
Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Other (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $54,869
  • Year 3: $55,777

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