Grand Canyon University

Yes, Grand Canyon University is a legitimate university with accreditation from the the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This accrediting body reviews universities, its faculty and staff, and its programs to ensure they meet quality academic standards. 

Importantly, all higher education institutions on OnlineU have been accredited. 

Today's online degrees from accredited universities are widely respected by employers. Many online schools offer targeted degrees designed to fill skills gaps in industries where trained professionals are in high demand. Often, employers cannot tell if a degree was earned online or in person.

Grand Canyon University is known for being the largest Christian university in the U.S. In the 2020-21 school year, nearly 159,000 students were enrolled — most of whom were enrolled online. Students also attend on-campus in Phoenix, Arizona. 

GCU is currently a large, for-profit, private college. It began attempts to transition to a nonprofit school in 2015. While the transition was recognized and approved by the IRS, it was rejected by the U.S. Department of Education. The university is now suing the agency over its decision.

Academically, GCU is known for being highly popular with nursing students. Its largest program by far is the registered nursing degree, according to federal data from College Scorecard. Graduates also often work for healthcare companies. Degrees in business, teaching, and human services are also popular. 

At OnlineU, we work with labor market analytics company Lightcast to gain current insights into where recent college graduates end up. According to data from Lightcast, education and healthcare are the most popular industries for GCU graduates.

The top occupation for recent GCU alumni with bachelor's and associate degrees is a registered nurse. Graduates also work as chief executives, sales representatives, general and operations managers, and health services managers.

For graduate students, teaching is the most popular career path. Twelve percent work as teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools, in special education, and on college campuses. Registered nurses and nurse practitioners are also top occupations after college.

The largest healthcare employers for GCU alumni are Banner Health, Dignity Health, Honorhealth, and Kaiser Permanente. Many graduates also work for the U.S. Army, Air Force, or the Department for Veterans Affairs. Amazon, financial company USAA, and GCU are also top employers for graduates.

GCU has an 81% acceptance rate, meaning most students who apply get in. The application process should not be too competitive. Whether or not a student will get in depends on their previous education, GPA, and test scores. Students will need at least a 3.0 GPA to get in without taking the SATs or ACTs. Those with a 2.5 to 2.9 GPA can still get in with qualifying SAT/ACT test scores.

Admission requirements vary depending on what program a student is interested in. Generally speaking, students applying for an associate or bachelor's degree need to have a high school diploma or GED, at least a 2.5 GPA, and SAT/ACT test scores. Those with a 3.0 GPA or higher do not need to take the SAT or ACT to get in. Transfer students should have at least a 2.25 GPA and at least 25 transferable credits. Graduate students will need a 2.8 GPA for their undergraduate degree, and doctoral applicants need at least a 3.4 GPA, although there is some flexibility here.

GCU is a Christian university, but welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. Applicants will also need to submit transcripts from their high school and previous college experiences.

To apply for an online degree, students start by submitting an admissions form that asks questions about what program they want to apply for and how they want to attend — online or on campus. They will also need to submit official transcripts from their high school and previous colleges attended, if any. Students can request copies of official transcripts from their previous schools and either mail, fax, or hand deliver them. They can also request to send their transcripts to GCU directly from their previous schools.

Depending on what program a student is interested in, there may be additional application requirements, such as an essay. 

Next students can apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA. This form is an application for financial aid, including grant money, scholarships, and optional student loans, from the federal government, state, and from GCU.

Finally, students will hear from a university counselor to talk about the admissions process and what happens next.