GCU vs. National University

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or National University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCU or National 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. National University comparison
Grand Canyon University National University College 3 College 4
Grand Canyon University
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Overview

GCU National University
Location Phoenix, AZ San Diego, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 101,816 18,631
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit Non-profit
Website gcu.edu nu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GCU National University
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $13,320
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $13,320
Room & Board $7,800 $17,784
Avg Net Price $21,939 $30,527
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $5,932
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

GCU National University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 29,304 -
Admitted 22,818 -
Acceptance Rate 77.9% Open
Enrolled % 37% Open
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 National University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

GCU National University
Graduation Rate 31% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $57,900
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $28,642
Median Loan Payment $193 $296

Diversity

GCU National University
% Men 27% 37%
% Women 73% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 38%
% Black 18% 11%
% Hispanic 19% 26%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 2%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 6%

Students

GCU National University
% In-State 25% 55%
% Out-of-State 74% 43%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than National University based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 18,631 students)

GCU vs. National University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or National University?

  • Grand Canyon University is 23.9% more expensive to attend than National University for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $13,320.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.9% higher at GCU than National University ($16,500.00 vs. $13,320.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Canyon University than National University ($21,939 vs. $30,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 128% lower than costs at National University ($7,800 vs. $17,784)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than National University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 62.9% larger than aid received National University ($9,662 vs. $5,932)

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

GCU vs. National University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU or National 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 National University and GCU.

  • Graduates from National University earn on average $3,600 more per year than GCU graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $54,300)
  • Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $9,892 lower median federal student loan debt than National University graduates. ($18,750 vs. $28,642)
  • GCU graduates are paying $103 less per month on federal student loans than National University graduates. ($193 vs. $296)
  • More National University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 32%)

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