UMass Global vs Grand Canyon University (GCU)

University of Massachusetts Global and Grand Canyon University, both offering flexible online learning, stand out as prominent choices for higher education. However, they differ in several key aspects. UMass Global boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. In contrast, GCU maintains a more selective admissions process. When it comes to popular majors, UMass Global emphasizes business and healthcare, while GCU offers a wider variety of programs, including education, psychology, and criminal justice. Additionally, the student body demographics vary, with UMass Global attracting a slightly older population and GCU catering to a younger cohort. While both universities prioritize student success, their graduation rates differ, with GCU reporting a higher completion rate. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into these differences and more, helping you make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.

	University of Massachusetts Global	Grand Canyon University
Overview
Location	Irvine, California	Phoenix, Arizona
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Trimester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	19.0%	71.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.9%	82.8%
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	168	36,861
Total number of admissions given out	156	30,534
Admitted students who chose to enroll	76	7,620
Yield rate	48.7%	25.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$35,619	$32,100
Average net price	$26,346	$21,644
Tuition	$12,000	$16,500
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $5,300 Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	69.0% Average amount $3,441	100.0% Average amount $10,225
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $8,224	60.0% Average amount $5,346
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $6,000	8.0% Average amount $12,937

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,237 Men 33.3% Women 66.7%	65,870 Men 29.3% Women 70.7%
Graduate students	4,561 Men 25.0% Women 75.0%	37,202 Men 22.5% Women 77.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	67.1%	73.1%
International students	0.1%	1.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	15,937
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Pennsylvania Texas Arizona	Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Psychology Liberal Arts Health Professions	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	N/A	44.7%
Dropout rate	N/A	52.9%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $127,406 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $133,153 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,122 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $88,759 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,168 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $81,714 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,219 Year 2: $78,029 Year 3: $79,716 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,798 Year 2: $71,144 Year 3: $75,615 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,172 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $71,709 Human Resources Management and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $61,770 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $67,594 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,796 Year 2: $58,943 Year 3: $64,321 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,794 Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $57,825 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,565 Year 2: $56,302 Year 3: $56,092	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,397 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $125,189 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,451 Year 2: $96,705 Year 3: $100,941 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,965 Year 2: $87,641 Year 3: $91,610 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,940 Year 2: $77,476 Year 3: $80,825 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,319 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $68,008 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,248 Year 2: $64,265 Year 3: $66,703 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,382 Year 2: $57,047 Year 3: $64,355 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,308 Year 2: $59,621 Year 3: $62,793 Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,625 Year 2: $60,082 Year 3: $61,171 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,083 Year 2: $55,605 Year 3: $59,588

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences in academic focus between UMass Global and Grand Canyon University (GCU)?

UMass Global, formerly Brandman University, emphasizes flexible, online learning tailored for working adults, with a strong focus on career-relevant programs in business, education, and healthcare. Grand Canyon University (GCU), while also offering online programs, maintains a more traditional university structure with a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a stronger emphasis on Christian values and integration of faith into learning.
How do the tuition costs compare between UMass Global and GCU?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and enrollment status. Generally, UMass Global is known for its transparent tuition structure and often offers competitive pricing for its online programs. GCU's tuition structure is also competitive, but it's important to compare the total cost of attendance, including fees and potential scholarships, for your specific program of interest at both institutions.
What types of online learning platforms do UMass Global and GCU utilize?

Both UMass Global and GCU utilize robust online learning platforms. UMass Global's platform is designed for asynchronous learning, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace within set deadlines. GCU's online platform also supports asynchronous learning but may incorporate more synchronous elements like live lectures or virtual meetings, depending on the program.
What are the key differences in student support services offered by UMass Global and GCU?

Both universities offer comprehensive student support services. UMass Global focuses on providing personalized support for working adults, including career counseling, academic advising, and technical assistance tailored to online learners. GCU offers a wider range of services, including traditional campus-based resources like tutoring centers, libraries, and student life activities, in addition to online support services.
How do the program offerings differ between UMass Global and GCU?

UMass Global specializes in programs designed for working adults seeking career advancement, with a strong emphasis on business, education, nursing, and healthcare administration. GCU offers a broader range of programs, including those in the arts, sciences, engineering, and theology, catering to both traditional and non-traditional students.
What is the accreditation status of UMass Global and GCU?

Both UMass Global and GCU are regionally accredited, which is a crucial factor to consider. UMass Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Regional accreditation ensures that the institutions meet rigorous academic standards and that credits earned are generally transferable.
How does the faculty experience differ between UMass Global and GCU?

Both UMass Global and GCU employ experienced faculty members. UMass Global's faculty often have extensive professional experience in their respective fields, bringing real-world insights to the online classroom. GCU's faculty includes both experienced professionals and academic researchers, providing a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge.
What is the overall learning environment like at UMass Global versus GCU?

UMass Global provides a highly flexible and career-focused learning environment designed for working adults who need to balance their studies with other commitments. GCU offers a more structured learning environment, with a blend of online and campus-based programs, and a focus on integrating Christian values into the curriculum.
Are there specific degree programs that one university excels in compared to the other?

UMass Global is particularly well-regarded for its online business, education, and nursing programs, designed to meet the needs of working professionals. GCU has a strong reputation in areas like education, healthcare, and business, but also offers programs in fields like engineering and theology that are not as prominently featured at UMass Global.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare between UMass Global and GCU?

Both universities offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. UMass Global's career services are tailored to the needs of online learners and working professionals. GCU's career services are more comprehensive, with resources for both online and campus-based students. Both universities have alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and support.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.