GCU vs. Capella University

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or Capella University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCU or Capella University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Grand Canyon University vs. Capella University comparison
Grand Canyon University Capella University College 3 College 4
Grand Canyon University
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Overview

 GCU Capella University
Location Phoenix, AZ Minneapolis, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 101,816 39,727
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit For-profit
Website gcu.edu capella.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GCU Capella University
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $14,328
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $14,328
Room & Board $7,800 $6,270
Avg Net Price $21,939 $14,935
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $6,637
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 57%

Admission

 GCU Capella University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 29,304 -
Admitted 22,818 -
Acceptance Rate 77.9%
Enrolled % 37%
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 GCU Capella University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 35:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Business (62%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (32%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Health Professions (2%)
  • Psychology (1%)

Outcomes

 GCU Capella University
Graduation Rate 31% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $70,400
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 28%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $28,056
Median Loan Payment $193 $290

Diversity

 GCU Capella University
% Men 27% 17%
% Women 73% 83%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 45%
% Black 18% 26%
% Hispanic 19% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 16%

Students

 GCU Capella University
% In-State 25% 0%
% Out-of-State 74% 100%

Campus

 GCU Capella University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than Capella University based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 39,727 students)

GCU vs. Capella University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or Capella University?

  • Grand Canyon University is 15.2% more expensive to attend than Capella University for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $14,328.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.2% higher at GCU than Capella University ($16,500.00 vs. $14,328.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Capella University than GCU ($14,935 vs. $21,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capella University are 24.4% lower than costs at Grand Canyon University ($6,270 vs. $7,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than Capella University (98% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 45.6% larger than aid received Capella University ($9,662 vs. $6,637)

Which college is harder to get into, GCU or Capella University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Capella University or GCU .

GCU vs. Capella University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU or Capella University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Capella University and GCU.

  • Graduates from Capella University earn on average $16,100 more per year than GCU graduates after ten years. ($70,400 vs. $54,300)
  • Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $9,306 lower median federal student loan debt than Capella University graduates. ($18,750 vs. $28,056)
  • GCU graduates are paying $97 less per month on federal student loans than Capella University graduates. ($193 vs. $290)
  • More GCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capella University students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/