GCU vs. West

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or Western International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCU or West 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Phoenix-Online Campus Capella University Chamberlain College of Nursing-Arizona NAU ASU University of Phoenix-Phoenix-Hohokam Campus Purdue Global-Davenport Campus U of A National University Arizona Christian University University of Phoenix-Southern Arizona Campus
Grand Canyon University vs. Western International University comparison
Grand Canyon University Western International University College 3 College 4
Grand Canyon University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 GCU West
Location Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 101,816 905
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit For-profit
Website gcu.edu west.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GCU West
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $6,000
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $6,000
Room & Board $7,800 $2,160
Avg Net Price $21,939 $5,911
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $5,419
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 20%

Admission

 GCU West
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) Not applicable
Application Deadline

Academics

 GCU West
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Business (80%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Legal Professions (1%)
  • Social Sciences (1%)

Outcomes

 GCU West
Graduation Rate 31% 2%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $53,100
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $26,438
Median Loan Payment $193 $273

Diversity

 GCU West
% Men 27% 0%
% Women 73% 0%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 50%
% Black 18% 14%
% Hispanic 19% 15%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 16%

Students

 GCU West
% In-State 25% -
% Out-of-State 74% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than West based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 905 students)

GCU vs. West Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or West?

  • Grand Canyon University is 175% more expensive to attend than West for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $6,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 175% higher at GCU than Western International University ($16,500.00 vs. $6,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western International University than GCU ($5,911 vs. $21,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western International University are 261.1% lower than costs at Grand Canyon University ($2,160 vs. $7,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than Western International University (98% vs. 20%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 78.3% larger than aid received Western International University ($9,662 vs. $5,419)

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

GCU vs. West Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU or West? 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 West and GCU.

  • The graduation rate at GCU is higher than Western International University (31% vs. 2%)
  • Graduates from Grand Canyon University earn on average $1,200 more per year than West graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $53,100)
  • Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $7,688 lower median federal student loan debt than West graduates. ($18,750 vs. $26,438)
  • GCU graduates are paying $80 less per month on federal student loans than West graduates. ($193 vs. $273)
  • More West graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 32%)

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