Grand Canyon University campus

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GCU Demographics & Diversity

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  • 4 Year
  • Phoenix, AZ
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

High

Racial Diversity Index: 65%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at GCU are predominantly White with a smaller Hispanic population. The school has high racial diversity. 52% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Grand Canyon University students
Race Percent of Students
White
48%
Black
18%
Hispanic
19%
Asian
4%
American Indian / Alaskan
1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
1%
Two or more races
3%
International
0%
Race Unknown
6%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

High

Gender Diversity Index: 40%

There are 168% more female students than male students enrolled at Grand Canyon University with a gender ratio of 73% women to 27% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, GCU has a comparable gender diversity ratio to other US colleges and is inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Grand Canyon University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
27%
Women
73%
Enrollment by gender for Grand Canyon University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
30,775
Women
82,482

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

High

Geographic Diversity Index: 72%

GCU draws 28 percent of students from Arizona, 72 percent from other states, and 1 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Arizona, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Grand Canyon University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
28%
Out of State
72%
Foreign
1%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$62,877 per year

34% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

113,257
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 61.1%
Part-time undergraduates 69%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Grand Canyon University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=104717.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026