Head-to-head · 2026
Grand Canyon University vs University of Phoenix-Arizona
Compare average net price ($22,472 at Grand Canyon University; $13,520 at University of Phoenix-Arizona), ROI score (4.69 vs 6.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,186 vs $37,752), and admissions context (78.9% at Grand Canyon University; Open / not reported at University of Phoenix-Arizona) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Grand Canyon University | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.69 | 6.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $22,472 | $13,520 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $89,888 | $54,080 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $17,850 | $9,552 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,850 | $9,552 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,186 ✓ | $37,752 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.9% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.5% ✓ | 20.8% |
| Retention rate | 72.1% ✓ | 40.8% |
| Median debt | $22,114 ✓ | $31,553 |
| Enrollment | 73,371 | 85,991 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private For-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1077 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Grand Canyon University | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,557 | $12,776 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,763 | $13,833 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $21,712 | $14,963 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,471 | $17,177 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,701 | $19,150 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Grand Canyon University | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12% | 41.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 23.7% | 5% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.8% | 13.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 11.4% | 2.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.9% | 5.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.4% | 5.4% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 6.2% | 0.6% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 6.3% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Phoenix-Arizona reports the lower average net price by $8,952 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $35,808 difference over four years ($54,080 vs $89,888).
Grand Canyon University reports $4,434 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,186 vs $37,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.1% at Grand Canyon University and 40.8% at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Median federal debt among completers is $22,114 vs $31,553, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Grand Canyon University vs University of Phoenix-Arizona, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Phoenix-Arizona is cheaper — average net price $13,520 per year vs $22,472 at Grand Canyon University. The annual difference of $8,952 adds up to about $35,808 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Grand Canyon University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,186 vs $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The gap in the federal data is $4,434. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.