GCU vs. NAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ with Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Canyon University is larger than NAU based on total student enrollment (113,257 students vs. 28,467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting); Northern Arizona University is in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting).
• Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Canyon University 20:1; Northern Arizona University 19:1.

GCU vs. NAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or NAU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Arizona University than GCU ($16,371 vs. $22,928).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 18.9% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($11,700 vs. $14,432).
• Grand Canyon University is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NAU (about $4,841 more per year; $17,850.00 vs. $13,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.4% higher at NAU than at Grand Canyon University (about $12,031 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $17,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at Grand Canyon University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Grand Canyon University students ($13,085 vs. $9,861).

GCU vs. NAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCU or NAU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NAU and GCU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Canyon University 1006/1113.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Canyon University 20/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCU - Test optional; NAU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027.
• NAU has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than GCU (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at GCU vs. 15.8% at NAU.

GCU vs. NAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCU and NAU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Arizona University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Grand Canyon University's (31%).
• Graduates from Grand Canyon University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than NAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Canyon University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than NAU graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, GCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.