GCU vs. American Public University System

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or American Public University System? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCU or American Public University System is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Grand Canyon University vs. American Public University System comparison
Grand Canyon University American Public University System College 3 College 4
Grand Canyon University
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Overview

 GCU American Public University System
Location Phoenix, AZ Charles Town, WV
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 101,816 48,668
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit For-profit
Website gcu.edu apus.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GCU American Public University System
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $6,840
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $6,840
Room & Board $7,800 $8,128
Avg Net Price $21,939 $11,172
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $5,607
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 88%

Admission

 GCU American Public University System
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 29,304 -
Admitted 22,818 -
Acceptance Rate 77.9% Open
Enrolled % 37% Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 GCU American Public University System
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 24:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (23%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 GCU American Public University System
Graduation Rate 31% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $19,998
Median Loan Payment $193 $206

Diversity

 GCU American Public University System
% Men 27% 64%
% Women 73% 36%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 57%
% Black 18% 19%
% Hispanic 19% 11%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 6%

Students

 GCU American Public University System
% In-State 25% 1%
% Out-of-State 74% 97%

Campus

 GCU American Public University System
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than American Public University System based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 48,668 students)

GCU vs. American Public University System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or American Public University System?

  • Grand Canyon University is 141.2% more expensive to attend than American Public University System for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $6,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 141.2% higher at GCU than American Public University System ($16,500.00 vs. $6,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American Public University System than GCU ($11,172 vs. $21,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 4.2% lower than costs at American Public University System ($7,800 vs. $8,128)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than American Public University System (98% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 72.3% larger than aid received American Public University System ($9,662 vs. $5,607)

Which college is harder to get into, GCU or American Public University System? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between American Public University System or GCU .

GCU vs. American Public University System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU or American Public University System? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between American Public University System and GCU.

  • Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $1,248 lower median federal student loan debt than American Public University System graduates. ($18,750 vs. $19,998)
  • GCU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than American Public University System graduates. ($193 vs. $206)
  • More GCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American Public University System students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 23%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/