Savanna Hoffman
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The university has been offering degrees in over 200 areas of study since 1949. As of September 2023, GCU has over 100,000 students enrolled online and in person, with a projected total enrollment of more than 118,000 students in 2023-24. This makes it one of the largest Christian universities by enrollment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1949 |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Type of institution | Private for-profit Christian university |
| Number of colleges | 9 |
| Number of academic programs | 200+ |
| Total undergraduate enrollment (as of Fall 2022) | 66,769 |
| Projected total enrollment for 2023-24 | 118,000+ |
| Number of students on the ground campus (projected for 2023-24) | 25,800 |
| Number of online students (projected for 2023-24) | 92,000+ |
| Number of students living on campus | 17,500 |
| Campus size | 100 acres |
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What You'll Learn
Grand Canyon University's projected student enrollment for 2023-24
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The university offers degrees in over 200 areas of study and is divided administratively into 9 colleges. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 312 academic programs, emphases, and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals.
GCU is expecting a record-breaking class of new students in 2023-24. The university is projecting a more than 14% increase in new students from last year, including a class of more than 11,000 incoming traditional-age (21 and under) students attending both the Phoenix campus and online. This will increase the total projected enrollment to more than 118,000, with approximately 25,800 on the ground campus and over 92,000 studying online.
GCU President Brian Mueller attributed the continued enrollment growth to two primary factors. Firstly, during the pandemic, the university resisted the temptation to make cuts as many universities did. Instead, GCU continued to hire additional faculty and staff, add new academic programs, and build out its campus infrastructure. Additionally, they continued to freeze the cost of tuition on their ground campus, which has now been done for 15 straight years with only nominal increases in online tuition during that time.
The second factor contributing to GCU's enrollment growth is the high inflation rates affecting middle- and lower-income families. Given the desire of people to work and learn from home, traditional college-age students are choosing to save money and take classes remotely. These students may eventually come to campus or decide to complete their programs from home. GCU is well-positioned to respond to this growing trend due to its experience and expertise in online and hybrid learning platforms.
To accommodate the growing number of students, GCU opened two new residence halls, Santa Cruz and Copper, for the 2023-24 school year. This brings the total number of multi-story on-campus residence halls to 32, with approximately 17,500 students living on campus. The new residence halls feature suites with four single-occupancy bedrooms that share a common living area, kitchen, and two bathrooms.
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The university's history and growth
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The university was founded in 1949 as Grand Canyon College by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. It was established as a Baptist-affiliated institution with a focus on religious studies and initially offered bachelor's programs in education. The college was accredited in 1968 by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
In 1951, the college moved to a 90-acre tract in West Phoenix, and over time, its programs expanded to include the sciences, nursing, business, music, and fine arts. During this period, the college gained a reputation for producing competent teachers, nurses, and healthcare professionals in the Southwest. In 1984, the college's trustees voted to transition to university status for the school's 40th anniversary in 1989, and the institution became known as Grand Canyon University. This shift also brought about a change in governance, as the Southern Baptist Convention was replaced by the GCU Board of Trustees.
However, by the early 2000s, GCU encountered financial challenges, and in 2003, the university faced a critical financial juncture, even flirting with the prospect of bankruptcy. To address these issues, the school's trustees authorized its sale in 2004 to California-based Significant Education, LLC, marking the first time a for-profit Christian college was established in the United States. This infusion of capital led to a significant increase in enrollment, with the university growing from fewer than 1,000 students in 2008 to 17,500 students in the spring of 2017.
In 2006, GCU invested $150 million in campus renovations, adding new facilities and amenities. This was followed by a $60 million campus expansion project in 2009, which included new residence halls, academic buildings, and recreational spaces. The university has also expanded its academic offerings, now providing degrees in over 200 areas of study through its 9 colleges.
In recent years, GCU has explored a return to nonprofit status, and while its petition was initially rejected by the Higher Learning Commission in 2016, a subsequent application in 2018 was accepted. Despite this, as of 2024, the U.S. Department of Education still classifies the university as a for-profit institution. As of September 2023, GCU has seen remarkable growth, with more than 100,000 students enrolled online and in person, solidifying its position as one of the largest Christian universities in terms of enrollment.
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GCU's campus life and facilities
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 66,769 as of fall 2022, and a campus size of 100 acres. The university offers degrees in over 200 areas of study and is divided administratively into 9 colleges. As of September 2023, more than 100,000 students were enrolled online and in person, with approximately 25,800 on the ground campus and over 92,000 studying online.
GCU offers a rich on-campus college experience with facilities that provide academic and community support. The campus life at GCU includes various activities and opportunities for students to get involved and build connections. The Department of Campus Recreation offers intramural sports teams, student fitness centre classes, and the GCU Outdoor Recreation group to help students stay active, have fun, and meet other students.
The Department of Spiritual Life fosters a Christian community on campus through weekly Chapel services, Bible studies, mission trips, and more. GCU's mission is to prepare students to become global citizens by welcoming and encouraging diverse cultures and perspectives in its classrooms. The university also offers 350 programs (as of June 2024) within 10 different colleges, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs.
GCU provides a wide array of housing opportunities for students, including suite-style residence halls and apartments for new and returning students. The residence halls feature amenities such as laundry facilities on each floor, breakout rooms for studying, and spacious living room areas. Approximately 17,500 students live on campus and have access to heated pools, on-campus restaurants, and convenient proximity to amenities like the GCU Arena, the 18-hole GCU Golf Course, and the Canyon Activities Complex. Niche.com ranked GCU as having the #1 best college dorms in Arizona and the #1 best college food in Arizona for 2025.
The Office of Student Engagement offers fun events and activities on campus, including clubs, social events, and intramurals. GCU does not provide opportunities for Greek life on campus, instead focusing on academically and spiritually enriching opportunities. The Learning Lounge is a programme where GCU students can offer academic assistance to local K-12 students, enhancing the community while developing their tutoring and relational skills.
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GCU's status as a for-profit or non-profit university
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers degrees in over 200 areas of study and is divided administratively into 9 colleges.
GCU was founded in 1949 as a non-profit institution. However, in 2004, facing financial difficulties and potential bankruptcy, the university's trustees authorized its sale to Significant Education, LLC, a California-based company. This transaction transformed GCU into the first for-profit Christian college in the United States. GCE, a subsidiary of Significant Education, became a publicly traded corporation in 2008, operating under the name Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
In 2014, GCU announced its intention to return to non-profit status. The university submitted applications for this conversion to its regional accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC rejected the university's initial petition in 2016, citing concerns over its proposed strategy and outsourcing of certain activities. However, in 2018, GCU's second application was accepted, marking a historic conversion back to non-profit status.
Despite this transition, the U.S. Department of Education continued to classify GCU as a for-profit university, arguing that it operated for the benefit of GCE's shareholders. Additionally, in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit alleging that GCU deceived prospective doctoral students about its for-profit status and the cost of its programs. The lawsuit asserted that GCU directed a substantial portion of its revenues to GCE.
As of 2023, GCU is projected to have over 100,000 students enrolled online and in person, with approximately 25,800 on its physical campus and more than 92,000 studying online. This significant enrollment growth has been attributed to various factors, including the university's resistance to making cuts during the pandemic, its frozen tuition fees, and its expansion of academic programs and infrastructure.
The university's status as a for-profit or non-profit entity has implications for its tax treatment, access to research opportunities and grants, eligibility for philanthropic giving, and participation in NCAA Division I governance. GCU's classification as a non-profit institution by the IRS and its accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission, is an important aspect of its renewed status.
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GCU's online and in-person student enrollment
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The university offers degrees in over 200 areas of study and is divided administratively into 9 colleges.
GCU's campus continues to expand to meet the evolving needs of its students and to foster a superior educational experience. The university's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors. It combines academic rigour with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals.
GCU's campus is located in West Phoenix, and the university is committed to transforming the surrounding neighbourhoods into a safe, thriving place for the community. GCU's residence halls are highly rated, with approximately 17,500 students living on campus. The university also offers a vibrant campus life, with events such as the high-spirited Lope-A-Palooza pep rally and concerts in the GCU Arena.
As of September 2023, more than 100,000 students were enrolled at GCU, including online and in-person students, making it one of the largest Christian universities by enrolment. This figure is expected to increase, with GCU projecting a more than 14% rise in new students in 2023-24, comprising a class of over 11,000 incoming traditional-age (21 and under) students. The total projected enrolment is predicted to surpass 118,000, with around 25,800 on the ground campus and over 92,000 studying online.
GCU's student population has grown significantly over the years. The university had fewer than 1,000 students enrolled in 2008, and this number increased to 17,500 in the spring of 2017. By 2022, the campus student body had expanded to over 25,300, with a total undergraduate enrolment of 66,769 in the fall of that year.
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Frequently asked questions
As of September 2023, more than 100,000 students were enrolled online and in person, making it one of the largest Christian universities by enrollment.
Approximately 17,500 students live on campus at Grand Canyon University.
In 2022, Grand Canyon University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 66,769, with over 25,000 campus students.
