Affordable Education for California Students
Welcome to Grand Canyon University! We are an institutionally accredited, private Christian university in the heart of Phoenix where students can find their purpose. As of December 2023, GCU offers 337 programs, including 133 degree programs, 169 emphases and 35 certificate programs.
In Fall 2024, GCU had over 24,600 ground students.1 Our vibrant campus features:
- Academic buildings
- Suite-style residence halls and apartments
- Popular eateries
- Athletic facilities
- 22 Lopes Live Labs (as of Fall 2023)
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Concerned about graduating on time from a California university? The majority of freshmen entering the California State University (CSU) system do graduate, but most do not do so within four years.2 General education classes in particular fill up quickly, which can delay or add to the time it takes for you to graduate. GCU is not impacted by class or program availability, so your courses are open and ready for you when you need them, making it possible to graduate sooner, which saves you money in the long run.
Committed to affordability, GCU offers generous scholarship opportunities to qualified students, and as a private university, GCU students pay the same affordable tuition rates no matter which state you live in. On average, a traditional campus student in 2023-24 qualified for approximately $7,200 in GCU-funded scholarships for the academic year.3 Average tuition after scholarships is approximately $9,200.3 In 2023, GCU’s traditional campus students received approximately $180 million in scholarships – and many students attend GCU for less than the cost of a state university.
There’s plenty to do here in sunny Phoenix — a city loved for its beautiful weather, delicious dining, hiking and outdoor activities, world-class shopping, exciting events and adventures off campus. We’re only a road trip away from destinations like beautiful Sedona, the Grand Canyon and more.
Auto Acceptance
If you meet one of the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) requirements, you are automatically accepted into GCU and may enter into an undergraduate program.
California Community College Transfers
California community college students can easily transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree. GCU accepts courses that are part of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) to fulfill GCU general education requirements per transfer policies.
GCU offers several helpful and complimentary services to our transfer students, including:
- Lopes Credit Evaluation to estimate how quickly you can earn your degree
- Transfer Credits Search tool to show how many of your credits will transfer to GCU
For more info, visit our College Transfer Center.
There are many unknowns for students who are looking for the right university. It's important to GCU that students feel confident in their decision and happy about their choice. That's why we offer Discover GCU where future Lopes can get the REAL college experience.
During this visit, you will meet future and current Lopes, dine at popular campus eateries, take a campus tour led by a GCU student, learn about our various degree programs and attend an informational presentation. This experience is for high school seniors and transfer students age 24 and younger who demonstrate their ability to meet admissibility for the traditional campus.
Contact your admissions counselor for more information about Discover GCU.
Cal Grant Match Program
To help you fund your education, GCU is pleased to offer the Cal Grant Match Program, which is available to students who qualify for California Grant A funds and choose to attend GCU’s campus in Phoenix. Your university counselor can help you learn more about this opportunity.
Please note, recipients must not already qualify for a larger amount of GCU-funded scholarships, as the Cal Grant A match cannot be combined with any other GCU scholarship offer.
Barnabas Pastoral Program Scholarship
The Barnabas Pastoral Program offers a fifth-year scholarship for all participants,4 and specializes in preparing students called to pastoral ministry in the local church. To learn more about the Barnabas program visit gcu.edu/barnabas.
At GCU, the admissions process is simple, straightforward and our counselors provide step-by-step personalized support. Our admissions counselors are located in California and available to meet at your convenience.
GCU values transparency and trains our counselors to offer financial details and benefits, while directly answering questions about how you can pay for college and incur minimal debt.
Next Steps
- Apply at gcu.edu/ApplyNow and upload your unofficial transcripts with no application fee.
- Make an appointment with your counselor to review scholarships and programs.
- Visit the GCU campus; all-expenses-paid programs are available.5
- Register early to secure courses and on-campus housing.
- Pack your sunglasses and move to Lope Country!
1 Includes all traditional students who have a last date of attendance at least three weeks into the Fall 2023 semester or participated in a campus evening class in September or October of 2023.
2 Jackson, Jacob. (2020, Nov.). Getting to Graduation on Time at California State University. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
3 Scholarships may be awarded based on sixth semester transcripts (high school transcripts submitted after Junior year of high school). When final official transcripts are received, GCU reserves the right to rescind or modify the scholarship if it is determined that eligibility was not achieved. GCU reserves the right to change or decline scholarship awards for any reason. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. Prices are based on the 2023-24 rate and are subject to change.
4 The Barnabas Pastoral Scholarship is used to cover GCU tuition expenses in the fifth year of enrollment. The scholarship has no cash value and cannot be used for food and housing.
5 Travel reimbursement is only available to students who demonstrate their ability to meet admissibility for the traditional campus, plus one legal guardian, from a student’s home city/state to Phoenix, AZ. School/district/organizations staff, faculty and/or personnel are also eligible. To participate, the program requires a signed MOU by both the student and parent/guardian or personnel, approval of travel dates by GCU and receipts submitted per GCU requirements. Travel reimbursement thresholds vary based on location and education sector. Only one form of travel will be reimbursed, air or ground. GCU does not reimburse hotel expenses, baggage costs, early check-in or travel insurance fees. Travel reimbursement usually occurs within 45 days.
By clicking next I agree to receive phone calls, emails and text messages from GCU at the information provided above. Third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect or receive information and use that information to provide measurement services and target ads. To opt-out of data collection please click here. Grand Canyon University © 2024 - All Rights Reserved. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.