GCU Admission Requirements
- 0/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Phoenix, AZ
-
3.7 12 reviews
GCU Admission Overview
GCU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year GCU admitted 78.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1006-1113 / ACT 20-22. GCU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GCU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
GCU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Grand Canyon University
Acceptance Rate
The GCU acceptance rate is 78.9%. Last year, 40,405 of 51,203 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Arizona.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into GCU and can you get accepted?
GCU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GCU GPA
GCU considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.
GCU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Grand Canyon University does not require SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants with an unweighted high school GPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants with an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher can still qualify by sending a qualifying score: ACT 19, SAT 1000 on the 1600 scale, or CLT 58. SAT or ACT scores remain optional for students already at the 2.8 GPA floor and can be used for scholarship review.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.gcu.edu/admissions/undergraduate
GCU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1006-1113Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
1%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 518
- Math 488
- Composite 1006
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 580
- Math 533
- Composite 1113
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at GCU typically score around a 1060 SAT (middle 50% 1006–1113) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 51st percentile nationally. GCU ranks #6 in the state of Arizona for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1006 to 1113
SAT policy
GCU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1060 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GCU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
20-22Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
1%25th Percentile Scores
- English 18
- Math 17
- Composite 20
75th Percentile Scores
- English 22
- Math 22
- Composite 22
Average ACT
Incoming testers at GCU typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 20–22) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. GCU places #4 among colleges in Arizona for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 22
ACT policy
You may apply to GCU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the GCU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Grand Canyon University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Grand Canyon University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
GCU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 78.9% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1006-1113); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Grand Canyon University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=104717.
GPA calculator: Grand Canyon University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026