Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona · Private · 73,371 undergraduates · gcu.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
79%
of applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1006 to 1113
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$37,880Est.Estimate
before aid
Your chances and merit aid at Grand Canyon University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
79% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$37,880
a year in 2027-28, from a $37,880 sticker price
What to do with your 1060
Send your score
Your SAT is at or above the median of freshmen who sent scores (1060).
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
- CLT 58 accepted (alongside ACT 19 / SAT 1000) as the qualifying exam for the GPA 2.5+ path
Source: Admission Requirements | Grand Canyon University · Checked October 17, 2026
Who gets in
79%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
SAT total 1006 to 1113
Reading and Writing 518 to 580
Math 488 to 533
ACT composite 20 to 22
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$37,880
a year
- Tuition$20,080
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24, by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$21,512
- $30,001 to $48,000$23,979
- $48,001 to $75,000Not reported
- $75,001 to $110,000$13,488
- Over $110,000Not reported
Financial aidEstimate
96%
of freshmen receive grants
$9,861
average grant to freshmen
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
34 of 34
Earn credit with a score of 3
34 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $2,010Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 6 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 6 |
| Art History | 3 | 6 |
| Biology | 3 | 8 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 6 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 8 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 |
| Drawing | 3 | 6 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 |
| European History | 3 | 6 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 8 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 7 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 |
| Latin | 3 | 6 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 6 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 8 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 6 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 2 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
54%
Come back for a second year
72%
Typical earnings
$50,609
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Grand Canyon University$106,031
- All colleges$90,887
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 29 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Grand Canyon University. The Grand Canyon University logo is a trademark of the college.