GCU vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ with The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Canyon University is larger than UTEP based on total student enrollment (113,257 students vs. 25,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting); The University of Texas at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Canyon University 20:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

GCU vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than GCU ($9,305 vs. $22,928).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 7.1% lower than at Grand Canyon University ($10,864 vs. $11,700).
• Grand Canyon University is 83.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTEP (about $8,106 more per year; $17,850.00 vs. $9,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at UTEP than at Grand Canyon University (about $7,652 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $17,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Canyon University than at The University of Texas at El Paso (96% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Grand Canyon University students ($10,571 vs. $9,861).

GCU vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCU or UTEP? 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 UTEP and GCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Canyon University (1060) is 90 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming GCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at UTEP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Canyon University 1006/1113; The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Canyon University 20/22; The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCU - Test optional; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027.
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than GCU (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at GCU vs. 33.5% at UTEP.

GCU vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCU and UTEP? 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).

• The University of Texas at El Paso's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Grand Canyon University's (31%).
• Graduates from Grand Canyon University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than GCU graduates ($17,250 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GCU graduates ($178 vs. $193).
• More UTEP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.