Grand Canyon University
Former names
Grand Canyon College (August 1949 – May 1989)[1]
MottoFind Your Purpose
TypePrivate for-profit university[2]
EstablishedAugust 1, 1949 (1949-08-01)[1]
AccreditationHLC
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational Christian
PresidentBrian Mueller
ProvostRandy Gibb
Academic staff
550 full-time faculty[3]
5,801 adjunct faculty[3]
Students101,816[4]
Undergraduates66,769[4]
Postgraduates35,047[4]
Location
Phoenix
,
Arizona
,
United States
CampusLarge city, 101 acres (41 hectares)[5]
Student-to-faculty ratio20 to 1[4]
NewspaperGCU Today
ColorsPurple, black, and white[6]
     
NicknameAntelopes ("Lopes")
Sporting affiliations
MascotThunder the Antelope
Websitewww.gcu.edu

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona.[2] Based on student enrollment, Grand Canyon University was the largest Christian university in the world in 2018,[7][8] with 20,000 attending students on campus and 70,000 online.[9] As of September 2023, there are more than 100,000 students in attendance.[4]

Grand Canyon was established by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention on August 1, 1949, in Prescott, Arizona, as Grand Canyon College.[10] In 1999–2000, the university ended its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.[11]

The university offers degree programs through its nine colleges including education, arts and media, humanities and social sciences, nursing and health care professions, science, theology, engineering and technology, and business.[12]

History

Founding

Grand Canyon College was founded as a nonprofit institution in 1949 in Prescott, Arizona. Southern Baptists felt the need to establish a faith-based institution that would allow local Baptists the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's or master's degree without going east to one of the Baptist colleges in Texas or Oklahoma.

On October 8, 1951, Grand Canyon College relocated to its current location in Phoenix.[13]

In 1984, the college's trustees voted to transition the college to a university for the 40th anniversary of the school in 1989, becoming Grand Canyon University. At this time, it also changed governance from the Southern Baptist Convention to the GCU Board of Trustees.[13]

For-profit Restructuring

Suffering financial and other difficulties in the early part of the 21st century, the school's trustees authorized its sale in January 2004 to California-based Significant Education, LLC,[14] making it the first for-profit Christian college in the United States.[15] Significant Education was a subsidiary of education entrepreneur Michael K. Clifford's company.[14] Clifford became managing director of the privatized institution, with the former board of trustees serving in an advisory role.[14] Significant Education changed to a corporation in 2005 and became publicly traded under a new name Grand Canyon Education, Inc in 2008.[16] It trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "LOPE".[16][17]

After the infusion of capital, Grand Canyon University's size increased. After having fewer than 1,000 students enrolled in 2008, the university had 17,500 students in the spring of 2017.[18] A 2015 economic impact study revealed that the university was adding about $1 billion into the state's economy each year during its expansion.[19] In February 2017, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said that the neighborhoods surrounding the university have experienced a 30% increase in housing values while concurrently seeing a 30% decrease in crime rates.[20]

In 2008, the university was sued by the United States federal government for paying enrollment counselors according to how many students they had enrolled while at the same time accepting federal financial aid, a violation of the Department of Education's incentive compensation ban. GCU eventually reached a settlement in the case, and was forced to pay a $5.2 million fine to a former employee and the federal government.[21]

By 2014 the accumulated student loan debt of Grand Canyon students was estimated to be more than $5.9 billion.[22]

Due to GCU's for-profit status (and various other reasons), Arizona State University had refused to play against GCU in any sport, even though both are NCAA Division I schools and located only 16 miles (26 km) apart.[23][24] ASU eventually reversed its decision, and sporting events between the two universities recommenced in the fall of 2020.[25]

Attempts to return to non-profit status

In fall 2014, the college announced the exploration of a return to non-profit status.[26] Grand Canyon's regional accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), rejected the university's petition for conversion to non-profit status in 2016, stating that the school's proposed strategy, particularly its plan to outsource some of its activities (such as curriculum development and student support services) to outside vendors, did not meet the criteria for "such a conversion".[26][27][28] In 2018, the university submitted another application to HLC to change to non-profit status.[29] This second application was accepted on July 1, 2018.[30][31] Although some organizations have approved this transition, the U.S. Department of Education still classifies the university as a for-profit university. The government specifically stated that GCU is a captive client to Grand Canyon Education and the college is operating for the benefit of shareholders of a for-profit company.[32] Grand Canyon Education has also been accused of engaging in securities-law fraud with its relation to GCU.[33][34]

Grand Canyon University was alleged to switch from for-profit status to non-profit status due to its yearly $9.2 million property tax bill. Numerous school officials said this was unsustainable and was one of the key reasons a required switch from for-profit to non-profit status was made, to reduce that burden.[23] Some critics of for-profit education criticized the relationship between GCU and Grand Canyon Education, Inc. as being too intertwined.[35][36]

In 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by GCU that claimed the university didn't receive all the coronavirus relief funds to which it was entitled because it was a non-profit entity.[37] That same year, GCU filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Education after being denied non-profit status twice.[38] The lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 after a federal judge rejected the university's claims.[39]

In October 2023, a Grand Canyon University press release alleged that there was a concerted effort by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Veterans Affairs to punish the school for attempting to gain non-profit status.[40][41]

In 2023 the Department of Education fined the company $37.7M for deceiving students about the cost of doctoral degrees. The department alleged that 78% of students graduating in those programs paid about 25% over the cost that GCU represented, with much of the extra charges accumulating from additional "continuation classes" for completing the dissertation requirement. Only 2% paid the represented cost. The school disputed the allegation, claiming in addition that it provides more information than is legally required. GCU is the largest recipient of Federal student aid. In addition to the fine, the department imposed conditions on the school to continue participating in the federal student aid programs.[42][43]

Campuses

Student Union on Camelback Road

Main Campus in Phoenix

In 2006, the college spent US$150 million to renovate the campus, adding a brick promenade, an aquatics center and a café.[44]

In 2009, Grand Canyon University's campus began work on a US$60 million campus expansion project which includes a 500-bed dormitory, a 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) fitness and recreation center, 125-classroom facility, food court and bowling alley,[45] and a 5,000-seat arena. The GCU Arena, which opened on September 2, 2011,[46] is used for concerts, speakers, and other events. The arena is also home to the college's men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball games.[47] The arena was expanded to 7,000 seats with construction beginning in spring 2014 and concluding in August of the same year.[48][49] Grand Canyon University offers several fast food restaurants, coffee shops, student union, cafeteria, video game room, and six-lane bowling alley for student recreation.[50] In August 2016, the university announced it was establishing a campus police department, converting its Public Safety Department, a 177-member force.[51]

In August 2016, GCU announced its 10 in 2 initiative, the building of 10 on-campus athletic facilities in a two-year span. Highlights of the project included new facilities for the university's soccer, baseball, softball, tennis and beach volleyball programs. It also included a sports medicine expansion, an equipment room expansion, practice facilities for the basketball and golf programs, and a student-athlete academic center.[52]

Accelerated Nursing (ABSN) Learning Sites

In 2020, the university opened their first two ABSN Locations; one located in Sun City, Arizona and the other in Tucson, Arizona.[53]

On May 9, 2022, GCU opened their first ABSN Location outside of Arizona in Sandy, Utah.[54]

On September 7, 2023, GCU Announced the opening of its 5th ABSN location in Chandler, Arizona.[53][55]

GCU opened their 6th ABSN Location, in Phoenix's West Valley with a grand opening ceremony on September 18, 2023.[53]

GCU's 4th ABSN location is located in Henderson, Nevada.[53]

Academics

Grand Canyon University offers over 200 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs through its nine colleges.[12]

  • Colangelo College of Business
  • College of Doctoral Studies
  • College of Education
  • College of Arts and Media
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
  • College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
  • College of Theology
  • Honors College

In August 2016, the university announced that it was opening a seminary.[56]

In April 2017, Arizona nursing board officials censured GCU after the school's nursing programs fell below 80% graduation rate for two consecutive years. GCU said it would implement a plan to increase graduation rates.[57] Three months later, the nursing board announced it was pleased with the "tremendous improvements" the university had shown to addressing all concerns.[58] In 2018, Grand Canyon's nursing program was censured by the Arizona State Board of Nursing over test passage rates. The censure came due to the number of first-time students failing to pass the registered nursing exam and after numerous complaints by students and faculty.[59] In the second quarter of 2018, Grand Canyon University's nursing students posted a 95.65 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This leads to a year-to-date rate of 92.86 percent, which is higher than the Arizona Board of Nursing's year-to-date statewide average of 91.89.[60]

Grand Canyon University's undergraduate entrance requirements are either a 3.0 high school GPA, or a high school GPA of 2.5 with either an SAT score of 1,000 or ACT score of 19.[61] In 2021, the university acceptance rate was 76.9%; of those admitted, 23% enrolled. The university does not report scores of matriculating students, while high school class rank, high school college preparatory classes, and letters of recommendation are neither required nor recommended.

Athletics

GCU Antelopes Baseball playing against Gonzaga University at GCU on February 19, 2016.

Grand Canyon University is a member of NCAA Division I with most sports participating in the Western Athletic Conference.[62] Grand Canyon's reclassification to Division I status in athletics started in the academic year 2013–14.[62] On August 23, 2017, the NCAA approved Grand Canyon's move to Division I, elevating the university to active membership status[63] and making it Division I basketball's only for-profit institution.[64] GCU immediately became eligible for post-season competition.[65]

Men's Volleyball competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and Beach Volleyball competes independently.

Rankings, recognition, statistics, and accreditation

Academic rankings
National
U.S. News & World Report[66]299–391
Washington Monthly[67]309

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). According to the HLC, Grand Canyon College entered candidacy for accreditation in 1961. By 1968 the school was regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, HLC's predecessor, and remains accredited, successfully renewing its 10-year comprehensive evaluation in 2017.[68] GCU colleges and programs also holds additional accreditations from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Arizona State Board of Educations, and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The university teachers and administrator preparation programs are approved by the Arizona Department of Education.[69]

In 2021, the university acceptance rate was 76.9%, and, of those admitted, 23% enrolled.[70] The freshman retention rate was 61%.[71] U.S. News & World Report classifies the university among "National Universities", wherein it was classified in the 2022 Best Colleges as a Tier 2 institution (meaning it is placed in the bottom 25 percent of institutions in its ranking category).[71]

Notable alumni

References

  1. 1 2 "History of GCU". Grand Canyon University. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "College Navigator: Grand Canyon University". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "College Navigator: Grand Canyon University". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "College Navigator: Grand Canyon University". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  5. ↑ "US News". US NEWS. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Grand Canyon University Athletic Brand Standards". September 20, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  7. ↑ Gonzales, Angela (May 2, 2018). "How Grand Canyon University became the world's largest Christian university". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ Leingang, Rachel. "Grand Canyon University may now be the largest Christian university in the United States". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Liberty University is no longer the largest Christian university". Religion News Service. April 27, 2018. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Recipient of free campus has Baptist roots". Baptist News Global. 2012. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  11. ↑ "One grand story: How GCU began rewriting its destiny 10 years ago". GCU News Bureau. 2014. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Degree Programs - College Courses Campus & Online". GCU. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "History OF GCU". Grand Canyon University. 2015. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 Ledbetter, Tammy Reed (February 10, 2004). "Grand Canyon Univ. sold; trustees in advisory role". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ Bob Smietana, Christian Ed That Pays Off Archived May 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Christianity Today, May 19, 2005, Accessed May 11, 2006
  16. 1 2 "Form S-1 Registration Statement: Grand Canyon Education, Inc.", EDGAR Company filings database, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Notes to Financial Statements page F-7, May 13, 2008, retrieved December 17, 2020
  17. ↑ Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Common Stock (LOPE)
  18. ↑ Everett, William (February 15, 2017). "Grand Canyon University expansion has enhanced the area, officials say". Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  19. ↑ Hansen, Ronald (January 9, 2015). "GCU expansion worth $1 billion yearly". Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  20. ↑ "GCU 27th Avenue Grand Opening". Governor’s Office of Education. February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ Ley, Tom. "Grand Canyon University, A For-Profit School Previously Sued By The Feds, Joins The Great Scam Of NCAA Division I Athletics". Deadspin. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  22. ↑ Looney, Adam; Yannelis, Constantine. "A crisis in student loans? How changes in the characteristics of borrowers and in the institutions they attended contributed to rising loan default" (PDF). www.brookings.edu. Brookings Institution. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "How the only for-profit Div. I school is building a monster in the desert". ESPN.com. February 21, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  24. ↑ Ryman, Anne. "Why Arizona State doesn't play Grand Canyon University". azcentral.
  25. ↑ "GCU to Host ASU in December". Grand Canyon University Athletics.
  26. 1 2 Cross, Jim (March 4, 2016). "Grand Canyon University Denied Switch to Nonprofit Status". KTAR News. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Public Disclosure Notice" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  28. ↑ Klapper, Clayton (March 4, 2016). "Grand Canyon University Denied Request to Switch to Nonprofit Status". ABC15 Arizona. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  29. ↑ Ashley A. Smith (January 5, 2018). "Another Shot at Becoming a Nonprofit". Inside Higher Ed. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  30. ↑ Thomason, Andy (March 6, 2018). "On Its 2nd Try, Grand Canyon U. Gets the Green Light to Become a Nonprofit". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  31. ↑ Leingang, Rachel (July 2, 2018). "It's official: Grand Canyon University has its non-profit status back". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  32. ↑ Leingang, Rachel (November 13, 2019). "GCU a 'captive client' to for-profit company, feds say". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  33. ↑ Wiles, Russ (February 5, 2020). "Grand Canyon Education's stock price drops after critical report from investment firm". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  34. ↑ Grand Canyon Education: The Educational Enron (PDF) (Report). Citron Research. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  35. ↑ Moody, Josh. "For-Profit University Giant Goes Nonprofit Amid Questions And Concerns". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Letter to National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity" (PDF). ed.gov. May 7, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  37. ↑ Schwatrz, Natalie. "Judge dismisses Grand Canyon U lawsuit seeking more COVID-19 aid". www.highereddive.com. Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  38. ↑ Leingang, Rachel. "'We have no choice': Grand Canyon University sues U.S. Dept. of Education over nonprofit status".
  39. ↑ Schwartz, Natalie. "Judge rejects Grand Canyon University's bid to overturn its for-profit status".
  40. ↑ "Government Agencies Unjustly Targeting GCU" (Press release). Grand Canyon University. October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  41. ↑ Knott, Katherine (October 6, 2023). "Grand Canyon University Lambastes Federal Agencies in 'Unusual' Public Statement". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  42. ↑ Hupka, Sasha. "Grand Canyon University fined $37.7M for deceiving students about cost of doctoral degrees". USA Today. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  43. ↑ "U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid Fines Grand Canyon University $37.7 Million for Deceiving Thousands of Students" (Press release). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  44. ↑ Stanton, Alison (October 11, 2006). "GCU campus receives makeover". Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
  45. ↑ "Where to Eat? New Campus Options Already Popular | GCU Today". Grand Canyon University. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  46. ↑ "A Year's Wait Is Over: Welcome, GCU Arena! | GCU Today". Grand Canyon University. September 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  47. ↑ Anderson, Craig (March 23, 2010). "GCU begins expansion of campus in Phoenix". Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
  48. ↑ Bob McClay (December 16, 2013). "GCU to expand seating at new arena". ktar.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Done! Arena is ready for its unveiling". GCU.edu Today. August 13, 2014. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  50. ↑ "GCU Student Life". Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  51. ↑ "GCU now has its own police force". Grand Canyon University. August 31, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  52. ↑ "GCU 10 in 2: Sports facilities to get makeovers by 2018". FOX 10 Phoenix. August 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  53. 1 2 3 4 Sweeten-Shults, Lana (September 7, 2023). "GCU opens new ABSN site in Chandler, addresses nursing shortage". GCU News. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  54. ↑ Sweeten-Shults, Lana (June 13, 2022). "GCU Nursing opens Accelerated BSN site in Utah". GCU News. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Grand Canyon University to open newest nursing site in Chandler". Chandler, Arizona. March 14, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  56. ↑ Glader, Paul (August 11, 2016). "Largest For-Profit Christian College to Open Seminary This Fall". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  57. ↑ Ryman, Anne (April 9, 2017). "Grand Canyon University's RN program censured by state nursing board". Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  58. ↑ Ryman, Anne (July 25, 2017). "Arizona nursing board: GCU's RN program has made 'tremendous improvements' since censure". Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  59. ↑ "State board censures Grand Canyon University". www.bizjournals.com. April 10, 2017. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  60. ↑ Ryan Kryska (July 19, 2018). "Nursing students post stellar licensure exam rating". Grand Canyon University. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  61. ↑ "Undergraduate Campus and Online Admission Requirements". gcu.edu. Grand Canyon University. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  62. 1 2 Gonzales, Angela (November 27, 2012). "Grand Canyon University becomes NCAA Division I school, joins WAC". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  63. ↑ Obert, Richard (August 23, 2017). "GCU officially granted Division I active membership by NCAA". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  64. ↑ "How the only for-profit Div. I school is building a monster in the desert". ESPN.com. February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  65. ↑ "Grand Canyon University cleared for D-I play by NCAA". Arizona Sports. Associated Press. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  66. ↑ "2023-2024 Best National Universities". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  67. ↑ "2022 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  68. ↑ "Higher Learning Commission Reaffirms Grand Canyon University Accreditation". PR Newswire. March 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  69. ↑ "Grand Canyon University's Accreditations". Grand Canyon University. 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  70. ↑ "GCU Admission Requirements – U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics survey". collegesimply.com. CollegeSimply.com. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  71. 1 2 "Grand Canyon University". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  72. ↑ Edholm, Eric (January 12, 2023). "Bears name Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as president and CEO". NFL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  73. ↑ Peters, Craig (February 4, 2017). "Kevin Warren Presented with Inaugural Pioneer Award". Minnesota Vikings. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
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