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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian for-profit university located in Phoenix, Arizona, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Admissions are relatively less competitive, and GCU's acceptance rate is approximately 80–85%. It is a large university with approximately 65,000 undergrads (both on-campus and online). Nursing, Business Administration, Education, Psychology, and Health Professions are some of the most sought-after programs at GCU. Its six-year graduation rate is roughly 41%, while alumni have median earnings of around INR 41,00,000 or USD 49,000 ten years after college.
The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona, within the Tucson metropolitan area. Admissions are somewhat competitive, with UA's acceptance rate being roughly 87%. It is a large university with around 36,000 undergraduates. Some of the most trending courses at the University of Arizona are Business, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate stands at roughly 64%, and alumni post-graduation median earnings are approximately INR 52,00,000 or USD 62,000 ten years after graduation.
| Grand Canyon University | University of Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 395 US News 2024 | # 138 Times Higher Education 2026 # 287 QS World University 2026 # 102 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -38 PG Programs -7 | UG Programs -201 PG Programs -81 Doctorate Programs -19 |
| Acceptance Rate | 78.0 % | 86.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 TOEFL-78 | IELTS-7 PTE-60 TOEFL-79 |
| 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 37122 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 46021 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16800 Per Year |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.1/10 Read 3 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 18 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | GMAT - 500/800GRE - 300/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 | GRE - 310/340IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -17010 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -28772 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Grand Canyon University | University of Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1949 | 1885 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 20:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 68% Male, 32% Female | 45% Male, 0% Female |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $5700 #On campus - $8550 #Off campus (not with family) - $8550 | #Housing and Food - $16800 |
| Weather |
Grand Canyon University vs University of Arizona
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Grand Canyon University (GCU), a large private Christian institution in Phoenix, Arizona, is most famous for online education, business, nursing, and teaching programs. It does not rank globally on QS or THE but has favorable national exposure for affordability and online courses. The University of Arizona (UArizona), a public research university, established in 1885 in Tucson, is ranked among the world's top 150 universities by QS at approximately =285 (2026) and THE at 150–200 level. UArizona is internationally renowned for Astronomy, Engineering, Space Sciences, Business, and Health Sciences.
General Information
GCU has a huge student body of more than 100,000, with most studying online; its campus population is approximately 25,000. UArizona has approximately 50,000 students, providing a traditional campus experience with high research and sport (Pac-12 conference) presence. While GCU prioritizes flexible, career-focused education, UArizona is more research-, innovation-, and campus-life-balanced.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
GCU is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of about 81%, accepting students with an average GPA of 3.3 and ACT scores of 19–25. The University of Arizona is also moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 87%, but accepts slightly higher academic profiles, with an average GPA of 3.5 and ACT scores of 21–29.
Research Impact & Facilities
UArizona is an R1 (very high research activity) institution, with world-renowned facilities such as the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, BIO5 Institute, and Steward Observatory. It is a NASA partner institution and a pioneer in space exploration studies. GCU, on the other hand, is a teaching-oriented institution that does not place a focus on research but provides modern campus facilities, simulation labs for nursing, and robust digital learning systems.
GCU’s tuition is about $17,800 per year, making it one of the more affordable private universities, especially considering its extensive online programs. The University of Arizona charges in-state tuition of about $13,500 annually and out-of-state tuition around $39,600. While GCU is less expensive upfront, UArizona offers stronger research-based scholarships and aid, especially for high-achieving students.
Graduate Studies & Research
UArizona graduates are very employable in space science, engineering, health, and business, with mid-career salaries of about $72,000 (INR 60 lakh). GCU graduates tend to work in education, business, healthcare, and social sciences, with mid-career salaries of about $62,000 (INR 52 lakh). The research reputation and alumni base of UArizona provide greater worldwide recognition, whereas GCU offers convenience and flexibility, particularly for working professionals and non-traditional students.
