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University of Phoenix-Online Campus Capella University Chamberlain College of Nursing-Arizona ASU U of A University of Phoenix-Phoenix-Hohokam Campus Purdue Global-Davenport Campus National University Arizona Christian University University of Phoenix-Southern Arizona Campus DeVry University-Arizona| Grand Canyon University | Northern Arizona University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
GCU | NAU | ||
| Location | Phoenix, AZ | Flagstaff, AZ | ||
| Setting | Large City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 101,816 | 28,086 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | ||||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | For-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | gcu.edu | nau.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
GCU | NAU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $16,500 | $11,024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $16,500 | $26,286 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,800 | $11,728 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,939 | $17,115 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,662 | $11,865 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
GCU | NAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 29,304 | 44,855 | ||
| Admitted | 22,818 | 35,881 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.9% | 80% | ||
| Enrolled % | 37% | 15.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | ||||
| SAT Range | ||||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
GCU | NAU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
GCU | NAU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 52% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,300 | $43,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 32% | 55% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $18,750 | $20,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $193 | $206 |
Diversity |
GCU | NAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 27% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 73% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 48% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 18% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 19% | 22% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 5% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 6% | 1% |
Students |
GCU | NAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 73% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 74% | 26% | ||
Campus |
GCU | NAU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Grand Canyon University is larger than than NAU based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 28,086 students)
GCU vs. NAU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, GCU or NAU?
- Grand Canyon University is 49.7% more expensive to attend than NAU for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $11,024.00)
- Out of state tuition is 59.3% higher at NAU than Grand Canyon University ($26,286.00 vs. $16,500.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Arizona University than GCU ($17,115 vs. $21,939)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 50.4% lower than costs at Northern Arizona University ($7,800 vs. $11,728)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Arizona University than Grand Canyon University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 22.8% larger than aid received Grand Canyon University ($11,865 vs. $9,662)
GCU vs. NAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, GCU or NAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NAU or GCU .
- NAU has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than GCU (77.9%)
GCU vs. NAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, GCU or NAU? 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 NAU and GCU.
- The graduation rate at NAU is higher than Grand Canyon University (52% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Grand Canyon University earn on average $10,400 more per year than NAU graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $43,900)
- Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than NAU graduates. ($18,750 vs. $20,000)
- GCU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than NAU graduates. ($193 vs. $206)
- More NAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 32%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/