Grand Canyon University (GCU) vs Berkeley
Grand Canyon University (GCU) and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) stand as two distinct academic institutions, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. GCU, a private Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona, boasts a significantly higher acceptance rate compared to UC Berkeley, a prestigious public research university situated in Berkeley, California. While GCU's student body primarily comprises undergraduate students, UC Berkeley hosts a diverse mix of undergraduate and graduate learners. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further contrasts between these institutions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
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![]() Grand Canyon University |
![]() University of California-Berkeley |
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Overview |
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Location | Phoenix, Arizona | Berkeley, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.8% | 14.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 36,861 | 112,843 |
Total number of admissions given out | 30,534 | 16,295 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,620 | 6,931 |
Yield rate | 25.0% | 42.5% |
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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $32,100 |
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
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Average net price | $21,644 | $17,652 |
Tuition | $16,500 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,300
Meal plan:
$3,800
|
$20,236 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $10,225 |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,346 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $12,937 |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
65,870
Men 29.3% Women 70.7% |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
37,202
Men 22.5% Women 77.5% |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 73.1% | 16.9% |
International students | 1.2% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 15,937 | 9,630 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 44.7% | 92.8% |
Dropout rate | 52.9% | 6.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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