Grand Canyon University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, nonprofit Christian university offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across fields such as education, business, health care, and the arts. GCU operates on a nine-week trimester calendar and is known for its emphasis on personalized instruction and faith-based learning.

Keep reading for an overview of Grand Canyon University’s tuition costs, housing expenses, acceptance rate, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

Grand Canyon University tuition in 2024-25 was $17,850, which is lower than the national average for tuition at a private institution of $41,540 per year.

Financial Aid

At Grand Canyon University (GCU), 99% of students received some form of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and/or loans, to help with Grand Canyon University tuition and costs. GCU is need-blind, which means your ability to pay for your schooling will not be considered in the application process.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: Scholarships can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At GCU, 55% of students take out federal student loans and 9% take out private student loans. The average private student loan is $13,870.

Private student loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The Grand Canyon University cost for four years, based on 2024-25 numbers, would be $71,400 in tuition and fees. This is substantially less than the average of $166,160 in tuition and fees for a private university in the U.S.

Recommended: Arizona Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2024-25, the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies was $18,850.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

GCU tuition for graduate school, plus fees, is $10,015. This is far below the national average of $41,540 at a private university in the U.S.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit for 1-11 credit hours at GCU is $687.50.

Campus Housing Expenses

*Based on one-bedroom pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on Grand Canyon University’s off-campus housing website in 2025.

Students who live on campus can opt for one of several residence halls or apartment complexes. There are no coed residence options. The campus is dry, meaning alcohol is strictly forbidden, and there is no Greek life at GCU.

For students who prefer to live off campus, there are housing options within walking distance.

Grand Canyon University Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

Here’s what you need to apply to GCU.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•   GPA

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores (these scores are not required for students whose unweighted high school GPA is 3.0 or higher)

There are no deadlines to apply for GCU, either for its online or on-campus programs. You can apply for GCU here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Standardized test scores are required only for those with a GPA under 3.0. Here are the fall 2023 25th and 75th percentiles.

Popular Majors at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers 349 degree programs in-person and online. Here are the most popular undergraduate degrees.

1. Nursing

GCU offers Bachelor of Science nursing degree options that include Pre-Licensure, RN to BSN, and Pre-Licensure, Accelerated (ABSN). Each of these programs offers hands-on experience so that students can use health technology, work in nursing simulation labs, and work with patients and families in clinical settings.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 3,721

2. Business Administration

In the business administration program, students take courses such as Business Communication and Critical Thinking Skills; Information Literacy and Data Analysis; Business Operations and Environments; and Legal, Ethical, and Values-Driven Business. This helps prepare them for careers like production officer, business analyst, financial analyst, business consultant, and HR specialist.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 1,578

3. Elementary Education

Students who are interested in teaching K-8 will learn how to develop lesson plans for diverse learners, teach English language learners, and serve students with disabilities. They will also learn science- and evidence-based learning concepts they can apply to their careers.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 774

4. Behavioral Health

After taking core classes in health and science, including Concepts of Behavioral Health and Behavioral Health Skills, students may go on to work in such areas as addiction and substance abuse disorders, family dynamics, and trauma.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 467

5. Special Education

Another popular major for those interested in teaching is a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. In fact, GCU offers a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education that teaches early language and literacy development, social and emotional development, behavioral interventions, classroom management, and learning strategies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 458

6. Social Work

Undergraduates in this program study Human Biology and Social Work Practice, Introduction to Social Welfare, Methods of Research in Social Work, Social Service Delivery Systems, Social Work Ethics and Decision Making, and more. They can then either further their studies with a master’s degree or take an entry-level position in the field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 359

7. Marketing

Marketing students will learn how to develop marketing strategies, evaluate customer buying behavior, create marketing plans, develop digital marketing strategies, and leverage advertising through a variety of platforms and tools.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 331

8. Health Care Administration

After learning the foundations of Communication and Relationship Management; Leadership and Professionalism; Health Care Environment and Business Acumen; Financial Management, Information Technology, and Risk Management; and Organizational Dynamics and Human Resources, students will be ready to lead health care teams in the workplace.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 325

9. Justice Studies

Those pursuing a BS degree in Justice Studies at GCU take courses such as Threat Assessment and Behavioral Analysis, Criminal Procedure and Public Policy, Professional Responsibility in Justice, The Adjudication Function, and Criminal Behavior and Victimology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 284

10. Religious Education

Religious education majors have the option to choose an emphasis in Biblical Studies, Christian Studies, Global Ministry, Philosophy, Worship Leadership, Youth Ministry, Media and Production Ministry, or Worship Ministry.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 268

Graduation Rate

These are the graduation rates at Grand Canyon University for students who began in fall 2017.

•  4 years: 37%

•  6 years: 43%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Upon completing their undergraduate degrees, GCU alumni earn, on average, $42,186 per year. This is significantly lower than the national average of $68,680 for graduates of four-year programs.