Purdue Global vs Grand Canyon University (GCU)

Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University, two prominent online universities, offer diverse educational opportunities for students seeking flexible and accessible higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to online learning, they differ in several key aspects. Purdue University Global boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students with varying academic backgrounds. Grand Canyon University, on the other hand, offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including popular majors like business, education, and healthcare. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and available financial aid options, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic goals and preferences.

	Grand Canyon University	Purdue University Global
Overview
Location	Phoenix, Arizona	West Lafayette, Indiana
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Non Traditional
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	71.0%	75.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	82.8%	Open Admission
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	36,861
Total number of admissions given out	30,534
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,620
Yield rate	25.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	Not required
High school GPA	Required	N/A
Recommendation letters	Not required	N/A
High school transcript	Not required	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$32,100	In state: $17,985 Out of state: $22,296
Average net price	$21,644	$3,802
Tuition	$16,500	In state: $10,080 Out of state: $13,356
Room & board	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)	100.0% Average amount $10,225	93.0% Average amount $8,251
Students receiving federal student loan	60.0% Average amount $5,346	36.0% Average amount $6,362
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $12,937	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	65,870 Men 29.3% Women 70.7%	32,477 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	37,202 Men 22.5% Women 77.5%	10,981 Men 26.8% Women 73.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	73.1%	90.9%
International students	1.2%	0.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	15,937	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arizona California Washington Colorado Minnesota	Texas Indiana Georgia Florida Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Law Enforcement and Firefighting Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	27:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	44.7%	28.7%
Dropout rate	52.9%	55.4%
Transferred out	N/A	14.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $92,778 Year 2: $101,792 Year 3: $105,379 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,860 Year 2: $97,579 Year 3: $98,242 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,216 Year 2: $73,792 Year 3: $77,623 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $76,422 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,228 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,459 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $69,334 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $65,825 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $65,353 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $56,925 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $62,559 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,990 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $61,514 Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $68,511 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $61,002

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Purdue University Global (PG) is primarily an online institution focused on career-oriented programs for working adults. Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers a blend of online and ground campus programs with a strong emphasis on its Christian worldview. PG is part of the Purdue University system, while GCU is a private Christian university.
Which university is more affordable, Purdue University Global or Grand Canyon University?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and enrollment status. Generally, Purdue University Global aims to offer competitive tuition rates for its online programs. Grand Canyon University's tuition can also be competitive, but it's best to compare the specific costs for your desired program at both institutions directly on their websites or by contacting their admissions departments.
What types of programs do Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University offer?

Purdue University Global focuses on online programs in areas like business, technology, nursing, criminal justice, and education, designed for working professionals. Grand Canyon University offers a wider range of programs, both online and on-campus, including business, education, nursing, theology, arts and sciences, and engineering.
Are Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University regionally accredited?

Yes, both Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University are regionally accredited. Purdue University Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Grand Canyon University is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Regional accreditation is important because it signifies that the institution meets certain quality standards and that credits earned may be transferable to other regionally accredited institutions.
How do the online learning experiences compare at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Both universities offer robust online learning platforms. Purdue University Global emphasizes a structured, competency-based approach, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Grand Canyon University's online programs often incorporate interactive elements and collaborative projects. Both provide access to online resources, faculty support, and student services.
Does either university have a physical campus? If so, where?

Purdue University Global is primarily an online institution, though it does have physical locations that serve as administrative offices and testing centers. Grand Canyon University has a main campus located in Phoenix, Arizona, offering a traditional campus experience alongside its online programs.
What is the student demographic like at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Purdue University Global primarily caters to working adults seeking to advance their careers or complete their degrees. The student body tends to be older and more experienced. Grand Canyon University has a more diverse student population, including traditional-aged students attending on-campus programs, as well as working adults enrolled online.
What kind of student support services are available at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Both universities offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, career services, library resources, and technical support. Purdue University Global focuses on providing personalized support to online learners. Grand Canyon University offers similar services, both online and on-campus, with a focus on integrating faith into the student experience.
How does the faculty expertise differ between Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Purdue University Global's faculty consists of experienced professionals and academics with expertise in their respective fields, often with a focus on practical application. Grand Canyon University's faculty includes both academics and industry professionals, with many holding advanced degrees and integrating their Christian worldview into their teaching.
What is the religious affiliation of Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Purdue University Global is not religiously affiliated. Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university and integrates its Christian worldview into its curriculum and campus culture.

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Purdue Global vs Grand Canyon University (GCU)

Grand Canyon University

Purdue University Global

Overview

Admission

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Students and Campus

Academics

Outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Which university is more affordable, Purdue University Global or Grand Canyon University?

What types of programs do Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University offer?

Are Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University regionally accredited?

How do the online learning experiences compare at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

Does either university have a physical campus? If so, where?

What is the student demographic like at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

What kind of student support services are available at Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

How does the faculty expertise differ between Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

What is the religious affiliation of Purdue University Global and Grand Canyon University?

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