50 Facts About Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University's Early Days

Grand Canyon University (GCU) has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1949. Let's dive into some key moments from its early years.

1. Founding: Grand Canyon College was chartered on August 1, 1949, with 16 faculty members and around 100 students in Prescott, Arizona.
2. Relocation: In 1951, the college moved to a 90-acre tract in West Phoenix, where it has remained ever since.
3. Accreditation: Grand Canyon College received accreditation from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education in 1968.
4. Affiliation: Initially, the college was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, focusing on religious studies and offering bachelor’s programs in education.
5. Expansion: Over time, programs expanded to include sciences, nursing, business, music, and fine arts, building a reputation for producing effective teachers, nurses, and healthcare professionals in the Southwest.

Transition to University Status

The journey from a small college to a full-fledged university involved several significant changes.

6. Transition to University: In 1984, the college’s trustees voted to transition to university status, which was completed by 1989.
7. Name Change: The institution was renamed Grand Canyon University (GCU) in 1989, marking a significant milestone.
8. Online Education: In the early 2000s, GCU refocused on online education for working adults, significantly boosting its enrollment and financial stability.
9. Leadership Team: A new leadership team was recruited in 2008 to envision a future centered around a hybrid campus strategy, combining traditional and non-traditional students.
10. Initial Public Offering (IPO): In 2008, GCU completed an IPO to generate capital necessary for improving its online infrastructure and expanding its campus.

Campus Growth and Development

GCU has invested heavily in its campus, making it a vibrant place for students.

11. Campus Growth: The university grew its campus student body from fewer than 1,000 students in 2009 to over 25,300 campus students in 2022.
12. Non-Traditional Students: The non-traditional student body increased from approximately 22,000 students at the start of 2009 to over 86,000 online and evening cohort students in Fall 2022.
13. Enrollment Figures: As of Fall 2023, GCU had over 77,000 bachelor’s-level students, over 35,700 master’s-level students, and over 5,400 doctoral-level students.
14. Investments: Between 2009 and June 2022, the university invested over $1.7 billion in full-time faculty, improved technology infrastructure, new facilities, and programmatic expansion in areas such as engineering, computer science, and IT.
15. Campus Facilities: The university has invested in various campus facilities, including a 6,000-seat GCU Stadium and a 7,000-seat GCU Arena, contemporary residence halls, resort-style swimming pools, recreation and fitness centers, and student union and eateries along Lopes Way.

Academic Excellence and Facilities

GCU offers a wide range of academic programs and state-of-the-art facilities to support student learning.

16. STEM Facilities: GCU offers two classroom buildings dedicated to STEM learning, which were opened in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
17. Nursing and Health Sciences Programs: The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions operates in modern lab facilities, including nursing simulation and skills labs, as well as forensics and chemistry labs.
18. Business Facilities: The Colangelo College of Business is a 150,348-square-foot academic building with four floors, four lecture halls, 53 classrooms, and 81 offices.
19. Humanities and Social Sciences Building: The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is where students engage in research, creativity, ethical formation, and inquiry through critical, analytical, and interdisciplinary study.
20. Theology Building: As a Christian university, GCU encourages students to find their purpose in Christ with an emphasis on applying Christian values and ethics to their studies and the workplace.

Student Life and Support

GCU provides a vibrant campus life and extensive support resources to ensure student success.

21. Library: The university library is located on the third and fourth floor of the expanded Student Union, featuring extensive resources, professional research services, 18 group study rooms, 65 computer stations, wireless internet, and printing facilities.
22. Dining Facilities: GCU offers various dining options, including Taco Bell, Market Station, and Sweet Disciple at Thunderground, a dining facility located between the Student Union and Recreation Center.
23. Student Support Resources: GCU provides academic and student support resources, including the Academic and Career Excellence (ACE) Center, which offers effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills development, an online job and internship board, and on-campus company events.
24. Honors College: The Honors College at GCU provides an enhanced curriculum, mentoring opportunities with faculty members, seminars, and special on-campus events for students who wish to excel academically.
25. Doctoral Programs: GCU offers doctoral degree programs in business, nursing, psychology, or education, which allow students to explore relevant theories and leadership principles and prepare them for careers in academics or management roles in various organizations.

Flexible Learning Options

GCU understands the needs of working professionals and offers flexible learning options to accommodate them.

26. Online Programs: Individual bachelor’s and master’s courses are available online in various areas, such as education and nursing, providing flexibility for working professionals seeking convenient evening classes.
27. Student Testimonials: Students praise GCU for its quality programs, scholarships, and family-oriented environment, citing that it is the college experience they dreamed about.
28. Flexibility: GCU offers flexible study options, allowing students to complete their studies 100% online or in a combination of hybrid evening and online classes to fit any schedule.
29. Student Experience: The university provides a full college experience to its students, including new classroom buildings, state-of-the-art athletic facilities, popular dining options, and NCAA Division I athletics, even for online and evening students.
30. Financial Assistance: GCU offers various financing options, including grants, loans, and scholarships for on-campus students and special offers for online students, helping students throughout the financial aid process.

Career Preparation and Opportunities

GCU is committed to preparing students for successful careers through various resources and opportunities.

31. Career Resources: The ACE Center at GCU provides career resources such as effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills development, an online job and internship board, and on-campus company events to help students prepare for their future careers.
32. Academic Programs: GCU offers over 350 academic programs across 10 colleges, including STEM fields, business, education, and healthcare, providing unique degree specializations to help students in tomorrow’s workforce.
33. Campus Expansion: The university has experienced a nearly $1.7 billion expansion of its campus through new technologies, high-tech engineering and STEM classrooms, laboratories, and research spaces, top-ranked residence halls, resort-style swimming pools, NCAA-caliber athletic facilities, and many other student amenities.
34. Division I Athletics: GCU competes as the Grand Canyon Antelopes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, offering students the opportunity to participate in competitive sports while pursuing their academic goals.
35. Community Engagement: GCU is committed to transforming the surrounding neighborhoods into a safe, thriving place for the community, partnering to implement initiatives that open educational opportunities, create jobs, restore housing, and reduce crime through its United by Purpose initiative.

Faith and Values

As a Christian university, GCU integrates faith and values into all aspects of campus life and academics.

36. Faith Integration: GCU’s Christian worldview is integrated into all aspects of academics and campus life, encouraging students to grow spiritually through worship services and participate in local and global outreach opportunities.
37. Academic Integrity: The university emphasizes academic integrity, helping students develop practices that support and embrace integrity as a personal, lifelong commitment.
38. Student Life: GCU offers a vibrant campus life with various clubs, academic, professional, social, and recreational activities, ensuring that students have a well-rounded experience both in and out of the classroom.
39. Campus Safety: The university established the GCU Police Department in August 2016 to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.
40. Federal Lawsuit: In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission filed a federal lawsuit against GCU, alleging that the university deceived prospective doctoral students about the cost of its program and its for-profit status. The suit also claimed that GCU paid 60% of its revenues to the for-profit Grand Canyon Education company and was the company’s most significant source of revenue.

Governance and Accreditation

Understanding the governance and accreditation of GCU provides insight into its operations and standards.

41. CEO and Company: The university and company had the same CEO, which was a point of contention in the lawsuit.
42. Regional Accreditation: Although the U.S. Department of Education categorizes GCU as a for-profit school, the IRS classifies it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, and the regional accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission, classifies it as nonprofit. As of November 2024, a court has ordered the Education Department to re-evaluate its classification using a different standard.

Student Housing and Amenities

GCU offers a range of housing options and amenities to enhance the student experience.

43. Student Housing: GCU is dedicated to creating more housing to meet the needs of its growing student population, offering various types of residence halls and apartments.
44. Resort-Style Amenities: The university provides resort-style swimming pools, recreation and fitness centers, and other student amenities to enhance the living experience for its students.

Specialized Programs

GCU offers innovative and specialized programs to meet the diverse needs of its students.

45. STEM Programs: GCU offers innovative programs in STEM fields, including engineering, computer science, and IT, which are designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms.
46. Healthcare Programs: The prestigious College of Nursing and Health Sciences provides extensive hands-on training, top-quality health care simulations, low student-to-teacher ratios, and one of the best undergraduate human dissection and anatomy educations in the nation.
47. Educational Programs: GCU offers a variety of educational programs, including TESOL, elementary, secondary, special education, and educational administration, built to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms.
48. Business Programs: The Colangelo College of Business is the campus epicenter for entrepreneurialism and learning business as a force for good, offering degree programs in various emphases.
49. Theological Programs: As a Christian university, GCU encourages students to find their purpose in Christ with an emphasis on applying Christian values and ethics to their studies and the workplace through its theology programs.

Mission and Vision

GCU's mission and vision guide its commitment to excellence and student success.

50. Mission and Vision: GCU’s mission is to help students become innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors, and transformative leaders through the context of a Christian worldview. The university is committed to excellence, striving to make quality education accessible and promote human flourishing.

Grand Canyon University's Impact and Growth

Grand Canyon University has come a long way since its founding in 1949. From a small college in Prescott to one of the largest Christian universities in the U.S., GCU has continually evolved. Its focus on online education for working adults, significant campus investments, and a blend of traditional and non-traditional students have fueled its growth. With over 350 academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to integrating a Christian worldview, GCU offers a comprehensive educational experience. Despite challenges, including a federal lawsuit, the university remains dedicated to its mission of fostering innovative thinkers and transformative leaders. GCU's vibrant campus life, extensive student support, and community engagement initiatives highlight its ongoing commitment to student success and neighborhood revitalization. Grand Canyon University stands as a dynamic institution, shaping the future of its students and community.