Phoenix, AZ · Private University
Is Grand Canyon University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$42,186
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$17,450
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,450
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.42x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
43.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,114
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,931
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Grand Canyon University graduates earn $2,814 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Grand Canyon University ranked by graduate earnings
6,063 graduates
21 graduates
144 graduates
206 graduates
51 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Grand Canyon University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Grand Canyon University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $88,666) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $27,983) is $60,683/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $88,666 | 5.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $74,628 | 4.3x |
| Homeland Security | $73,431 | 4.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,406 | 4.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering(1yr data) | $68,391 | 3.9x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $65,070 | 3.7x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $63,476 | 3.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $59,500 | 3.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,157 | 3.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,535 | 3.2x |
| Computer Programming(1yr data) | $52,190 | 3.0x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,868 | 2.9x |
| Security Science and Technology | $49,334 | 2.8x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $49,070 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,768 | 2.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,520 | 2.7x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $47,341 | 2.7x |
| Marketing | $46,758 | 2.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,912 | 2.5x |
| Biology, General | $43,156 | 2.5x |
| Human Services, General | $41,905 | 2.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,637 | 2.4x |
| Social Work | $40,452 | 2.3x |
| History | $40,329 | 2.3x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $40,010 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,263 | 2.3x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $38,976 | 2.2x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $37,704 | 2.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $37,307 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,765 | 2.1x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $35,951 | 2.1x |
| Religious Education | $35,667 | 2.0x |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $35,331 | 2.0x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management(1yr data) | $34,904 | 2.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management(1yr data) | $34,370 | 2.0x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $34,131 | 2.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $31,006 | 1.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,983 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Grand Canyon University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $42,186 10 years after starting, $2,814 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.