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Summary
Grand Canyon University is a proprietary institution that was founded in 1949. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,886, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 100 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Grand Canyon University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (West), Tier 2. Its tuition and fees are $16,500 (2011-12).
Despite its name, Grand Canyon University, based in Phoenix, is about four hours away from the tourist destination. The private university grants undergraduate degrees through six colleges, including the Ken Blanchard College of Business and the College of Fine Arts and Production. Many of its undergraduate degree tracks are broad but allow students to complete an emphasis in a certain area. Biology majors, for example, can complete their degrees with an emphasis in Pre-Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, or Pre-Physician Assistant; art design majors can choose to emphasize in animation, screenwriting, web design, or production. Grand Canyon University also grants a variety of master’s degrees and has a College of Nursing.
The GCU ’Lopes (Antelopes) are Division II teams that compete in a variety of conferences including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and the Pacific West Conference (PacWest). The university is a nondenominational Christian institution, and, as such, encourages spiritual education, too.
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Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a premier, private, accredited, nondenominational Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona. The University offers online and campus-based Bachelors and Masters degree programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and supports both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. |
General Information
| School type | proprietary, coed college |
| Year founded | 1949 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | urban |
| 2011 Endowment | N/A |
Applying
When applying to Grand Canyon University, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling, and the early decision deadline is November 1. It is less selective, with an acceptance rate of 36.8 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | less selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 36.8% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | N/A |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Grand Canyon University is 15:1, and the school has 13.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Grand Canyon University include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Business Administration and Management, General; Curriculum and Instruction; Special Education and Teaching, General; and Superintendency and Educational System Administration. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 40.2 percent.
Student Life
Grand Canyon University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,886, with a gender distribution of 23.5 percent male students and 76.5 percent female students. At this school, 40.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 60.0 percent of students live off campus. Grand Canyon University is part of the NCAA II athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 40,487 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA II |
Campus Info & Services
Grand Canyon University offers a number of student services including day care, health service, and health insurance. Grand Canyon University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Grand Canyon University, 65 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Grand Canyon University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 65% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $16,500 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | N/A |
| Financial aid statistics | N/A |
* Overview details based on 2011 data
