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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university based in Phoenix, Arizona, which is within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Admissions are relatively less competitive, and GCU's acceptance rate is approximately 80–85%. GCU is a large institution with approximately 65,000 undergraduates (on-campus plus online). The most sought-after programs at GCU are Nursing, Business Administration, Education, Psychology, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 41%, and the median earnings of graduates are reported by alumni to be around INR 41,00,000 or USD 49,000 ten years after graduation.
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university located in Tempe, Arizona, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Admissions are moderately selective, with ASU's acceptance rate at around 88%. It is an extremely large institution with around 65,000 undergraduates on campus and thousands more online. Some of the most sought-after programs at ASU are Business, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 66%, and the alumni indicate median earnings of approximately INR 52,00,000 or USD 62,000 ten years after graduation.
| Grand Canyon University | Arizona State University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 395 US News 2024 | # 173 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 196 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -38 PG Programs -7 | UG Programs -66 PG Programs -114 Doctorate Programs -21 |
| Acceptance Rate | 78.0 % | 90.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 TOEFL-78 | GMAT-650 GRE-300 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1180 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16500 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 17010 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 22800 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 31200 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25200 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 22446 Per Year |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | W. P. Carey School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.1/10 Read 3 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 67 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | GMAT - 500/800GRE - 300/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 65/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -17010 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -25200 |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Grand Canyon University | Arizona State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1949 | 1885 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 18:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 68% Male, 32% Female | 50% Male, 0% Female |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $5700 #On campus - $8550 #Off campus (not with family) - $8550 | #Housing and meals - $18993 #Transportation - $3453 |
| Weather |
Grand Canyon University vs Arizona State University
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Grand Canyon University (GCU), a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, is best known nationally for its business, nursing, health sciences, and education programs, as well as its large-scale online education. It is not included in top global rankings such as QS or THE. Arizona State University (ASU), a top public research university based in Phoenix, is ranked consistently in the world's top 200 universities. ASU ranks about =212 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and THE in the 180–200 category. ASU is ranked globally among the top in the fields of Engineering, Business, Sustainability, Computer Science, and Innovation by being ranked as the most innovative U.S. university several years consecutively.
General Information
GCU boasts a student body of more than 100,000, with approximately 25,000 attending school on campus and the other half online. ASU, among the biggest public universities in the country, has more than 145,000 students, distributed in various campuses around the Phoenix metropolitan region. While GCU focuses on faith-based learning and professional programs, ASU offers a full-fledged research-oriented academic environment with international outreach.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
GCU is relatively open, with an acceptance rate of approximately 81%, accepting students who have a mean GPA of 3.3 and ACT scores ranging from 19–25. ASU is moderately selective and has an acceptance rate of approximately 90% but accepts slightly higher academic profiles, with mean entering GPAs of about 3.5 and ACT scores ranging from 22–28. Both institutions are open, but ASU accepts a more academically competitive applicant pool in general.
Research Impact & Facilities
ASU is an R1 (very high research activity) institution, and it is particularly strong in sustainability, engineering, space sciences, business, and health research. It engages significantly in NASA initiatives and international research partnerships. GCU is mainly teaching-intensive, with minimal research production. Its area of strength is in professional education facilities, including nursing simulator labs and robust digital infrastructure for online learning.
Cost & Financial Aid
GCU costs approximately $17,800 per year, which is more reasonable for a private university. ASU tuition costs around $13,600 per year for in-state students and $32,000 for out-of-state students. GCU has affordability and fixed tuition plans, while ASU offers generous research scholarships, merit aid, and aggressive funding to in-state students.
Graduate Studies & Research
GCU alumni usually take up employment in healthcare, business, education, and social services with mid-career salaries of approximately $62,000 (INR 52 lakh). ASU alumni get excellent research and industry connections in technology, sustainability, business, and engineering, with mid-career salaries of approximately $72,000 (INR 60 lakh). ASU's international reputation, research experience, and alumni connections provide better global career opportunities, whereas GCU is popular among students preferring low-cost, career-focussed, and religious education.
