Grand Canyon University, commonly referred to as GCU, is a private university located in Phoenix. Although its name suggests it might be near the Grand Canyon National Park, the actual campus is situated on West Camelback Road in western Phoenix.

One of GCU's most notable features is its size. The projected enrollment for Fall 2024 is expected to exceed 125,000 students.

Of these, approximately 25,000 are on-campus students, while around 100,000 are online students.

By Fall 2025, the total student population is anticipated to grow to about 133,000.

Compared to typical private universities, this is quite a large scale, and it highlights the importance of online education in the university's growth.

GCU is a private university that places Christian values at the center of its education.

In major courses, it emphasizes a Christian worldview, ethics, and a spirit of service, with weekly chapel services and various faith-based activities taking place on campus.

However, not all students participate in religious activities to the same extent, so it's important to check if the faith-centered atmosphere aligns with your preferences.

Tuition is also a significant factor. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the basic undergraduate tuition for the Phoenix campus is $16,500 per year before scholarships. Additionally, costs for textbooks and learning materials are about $820, and student activity fees, along with facility, health, and technology-related expenses, can add around $1,420.

When including dormitory and meal costs, transportation, and personal living expenses, the actual annual cost can vary significantly depending on the student's living situation.

The total cost for a typical undergraduate student, as presented by the school, can exceed $30,000 depending on whether they live on campus.

However, not all students pay the listed tuition rates.

According to GCU, over 90% of traditional campus students receive school scholarships, and after applying scholarships, the average tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year can drop to about $8,900. There are various types of scholarships available, including merit scholarships, transfer scholarships, and scholarships related to Christian schools and organizations, so it's more important to check the actual financial aid details than just the acceptance letter.

Online undergraduate courses have varying costs per credit hour depending on the major. For the 2025-2026 academic year, education and science fields are $460 per credit hour, theology is $410, the RN to BSN program is $340, and other general online majors are typically around $485. Online courses are not necessarily cheaper, so it's essential to calculate the total credits needed for graduation along with additional costs.

The proportion of Korean international students at the school is not particularly high.

GCU traditionally has a very high percentage of domestic students, and the number of international students is much smaller compared to other large research universities like ASU or the University of Arizona (U of A).

However, Korean students often pursue majors in Nursing, Business, Computer Science, Education, and Theology.

However, in terms of the size of the Korean international student community, GCU is not a school like ASU that has a vibrant community of hundreds of Korean students.

Additionally, GCU has experienced a long-standing dispute with the federal government during its transition from a for-profit to a non-profit university.

After a federal appeals court ruling in 2024, a review was conducted, and in December 2025, the U.S. Department of Education officially recognized GCU's non-profit status.

Rather than judging based on past controversies, it is advisable to check the current accreditation status, graduation rates by major, employment outcomes, and student loan debt.

Ultimately, GCU is a university with strengths in large-scale online education, a Christian school atmosphere, and various scholarships. It can be a realistic option for Korean families who value faith or students looking for private universities in Phoenix.

However, it is recommended to carefully compare the total costs excluding scholarships and the educational outcomes by major before making a decision.