Cal Baptist vs Grand Canyon University (GCU)

California Baptist University (CBU) and Grand Canyon University (GCU) are two private Christian universities that offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. While both institutions share some similarities, there are also several key differences between them. CBU has a lower acceptance rate (58%) compared to GCU (86%), indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of student body demographics, CBU has a slightly higher percentage of female students (56%) than GCU (52%). Additionally, CBU offers a more diverse range of popular majors, including nursing, business, and psychology, while GCU's popular majors are primarily focused on business, education, and healthcare. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences in greater detail.

	California Baptist University	Grand Canyon University
Overview
Location	Riverside, 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	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	79.0%	71.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation	Baptist

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.7%	82.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	9,474	36,861
Total number of admissions given out	6,038	30,534
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,372	7,620
Yield rate	22.7%	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	$60,240	$32,100
Average net price	$23,494	$21,644
Tuition	$34,918	$16,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,010 Meal plan: $6,070	Room/dormitory: $5,300 Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $23,083	100.0% Average amount $10,225
Students receiving federal student loan	63.0% Average amount $5,158	60.0% Average amount $5,346
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $17,717	8.0% Average amount $12,937

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,252 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%	65,870 Men 29.3% Women 70.7%
Graduate students	3,237 Men 26.2% Women 73.8%	37,202 Men 22.5% Women 77.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	5.8%	73.1%
International students	2.7%	1.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,707	15,937
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Oregon Nevada Texas Washington	Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Psychology	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	56.7%	44.7%
Dropout rate	13.4%	52.9%
Transferred out	27.8%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,806 Year 2: $111,769 Year 3: $126,508 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,565 Year 2: $84,201 Year 3: $89,271 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,920 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $76,680 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,278 Year 2: $70,009 Year 3: $76,627 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,234 Year 2: $73,075 Year 3: $75,576 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,093 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $71,856 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,219 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $68,919 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,109 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $66,661 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,957 Year 2: $61,060 Year 3: $66,113 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,538 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $61,484	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 main differences in religious affiliation between California Baptist University (CBU) and Grand Canyon University (GCU)?

CBU is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, emphasizing a strong Baptist identity and theological perspective in its curriculum and campus life. GCU, while interdenominational Christian, has a broader Christian focus, welcoming students from various Christian backgrounds. GCU integrates Christian values into its curriculum but may not emphasize a specific denomination as strongly as CBU.
How do the campus environments differ between CBU and GCU?

CBU is known for its smaller, more intimate campus environment, fostering a close-knit community. GCU has a larger, more vibrant campus with a wider range of activities and a more diverse student body. GCU's campus has undergone significant expansion in recent years, offering modern facilities and a bustling atmosphere.
What types of academic programs are offered at CBU and GCU?

Both CBU and GCU offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. CBU is particularly known for its programs in nursing, business, and engineering, while GCU has strong programs in education, business, and healthcare. GCU also offers a wider array of online programs compared to CBU.
How do the tuition costs compare between CBU and GCU?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and year. Generally, GCU's tuition is often perceived as more competitive, especially considering its online programs. CBU, as a private institution, may have a higher sticker price, but financial aid packages can significantly impact the actual cost for students. It's best to check the official websites for the most up-to-date tuition information and financial aid opportunities.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at CBU and GCU?

CBU typically has a lower student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. GCU, due to its larger size, may have a slightly higher ratio, but still aims to provide accessible faculty support. A lower ratio often translates to smaller class sizes and more opportunities for interaction with instructors.
What are the athletic programs like at CBU and GCU?

Both CBU and GCU have competitive athletic programs. CBU competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). GCU also competes in NCAA Division I as part of the WAC. Both universities offer a variety of sports for men and women, providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

CBU offers a range of student life activities, including clubs, organizations, and campus events that align with its Christian values. GCU has a more extensive selection of clubs, organizations, and activities due to its larger student body, catering to a wider range of interests. Both universities provide opportunities for students to get involved and build community.
How do CBU and GCU approach online education?

While both offer online programs, GCU has a more established and extensive online presence. GCU has invested heavily in its online infrastructure and offers a wide variety of degree programs fully online. CBU also offers online programs, but its focus is more on traditional on-campus learning, with a smaller selection of online options.
What are the career services and job placement resources like at CBU and GCU?

Both CBU and GCU offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career development. GCU's larger size and industry connections may provide a broader network of potential employers. CBU's career services are tailored to its student population and focus on connecting students with opportunities that align with their values and career goals.
What are the admission requirements for CBU and GCU?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and application essays. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program and the applicant's academic background. It's best to check the admissions websites of both universities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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.