Grand Canyon University Reviews
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686 Reviews - Phoenix (AZ)
- Annual Tuition: $17,450

57% of 686 students said this degree improved their career prospects
49% of 686 students said they would recommend this school to others
Programs with 5+ Reviews
Student Reviews
Richard Myles
- Reviewed: 6/2/2025
- Degree:
- Graduation Year: 2026
"HelloI am not here to invalidate people's experiences, if they are genuine and factual, then all I can do is listen without judgement. It is difficult to assess the authenticity and credibility of a person's experiences. Some folk are trolling to mar GCU's amazing image to buttress their own clandestine agendas. I am half way done with my second Master's degree. I already hold an associate's(SUNY Niagara), Bachelor's (Buffalo State University) and a Master's in Education-School Counseling (Niagara University), and 18 Certifications from various Universities including Harvard. I will say as a hardcore academician, that this Master's in Criminal Justice-Legal Studies program is much tougher than my other Master's. I thought that it being on-line, would make it a piece of cake, well contrary to popular belief, that is NOT true. My professors have all been extremely professional and highly educated with a panoply of degrees in their respective fields, which are complemented by professional work experience. Education like anything in life, is what YOU make out of it. Some students are passionate about learning, while others are LAZY, entitled, and expect everything to be a walk in the park. No, you have to work for your degree, and if you are not disciplined enough to commit yourself to higher education, then step aside and stop trying to dismiss, downplay, and vitiate people's passion to embark upon their academic goals. I read some of these comments, and I question, whether or not, some of these folk even passed high school due to their poorly written fragmented sentences. GCU is an amazing school, and deserves all the extolments I am sharing in this post. If GCU was an inferior school, I would have no qualms about promulgating my concerns. Some people need to seek a new hobby, as opposed to, cobbling up fake reviews to assuage a hidden destructive agenda. I LOVE GCU, and after I complete my second Master's, I am most likely, going to pursue a third Master's degree. As a former school counselor, it is recommended to NEVER earn two degrees from the same institution because it usually give the impression that said persons are not well-rounded and cultured. Also, it looks strange to have several degrees from the same academic institutions. After this Master's, I am seriously considering another graduate degree in American Legal Studies or a Juris Master's from Liberty University. Both schools(GCU and Liberty), are doing extremely well, in terms of enrollments, and all these bogus reviews, are derisory and lilliputian, and fail to adversely affect the high enrollments. GCU ROCKS!!!"
New Opin6
- Reviewed: 5/24/2025
- Degree: Cognitive Psychology
- Graduation Year: 2028
"As a current doctoral student, I want to share my honest experience with Grand Canyon University. The school promotes itself as a Christian institution that supports students through a 3-year doctoral journey. Unfortunately, my experience has not aligned with these claims.Recently, GCU mandated that students switch to a new dissertation template, even if they were already far along in the process. This caused unnecessary delays and forced students to spend extensive time reformatting their work—time that could have been spent advancing their research. These delays often translate to additional tuition costs, which many feel is financially motivated.Though GCU markets itself as a Christian university, the faith-based presence seems limited to weekly motivational scriptures. The values of fairness, transparency, and student care that one might expect from a Christian institution have not been consistently evident in my experience.I’m now pursuing legal counsel due to the academic and financial setbacks this process has caused. If you're considering a doctoral program here, I strongly recommend researching thoroughly and going in prepared with outside support."
Timothy Sales
- Reviewed: 4/25/2025
- Degree: History
- Graduation Year: 2021
"I graduated as one of the top students not just my bachelor degree but also my masters. I was told gcu hires to alumni first and we'll here I am 4 years out with thier ba and MA and they still refuse to hire me. I will be telling people to to either apply for school or jobs with them. Never mind I'm alumni and I should be first that they would want to hire."
cv
- Reviewed: 4/14/2025
- Degree: Biology
- Graduation Year: 2025
"The program of study at GCU is not necessarily the problem, the professors, labs, and curriculum for the Bachelor's of Science in Biology major is excellent. However, in GCU's enforcement of their ridiculous high school rules, they are often inconsistent and unclear about standards. GCU expects students to take adult responsibility while treating them like children, their dorm rules are often enforced at different standards, with some RA's being lenient about rules, and other RA's taking it upon themselves to give you major problems for a minor infraction. The RA's are typically not looking out for one's best interest, and the rules of the college do nothing for the benefit of the students. For example, since there are 'no people of the opposite sex allowed' in hallways past midnight, I have been kicked out of study rooms in the middle of studying even in a common area. Furthermore, since a lot of GCU's business is online, most of the communication with departments is done electronically, often making it difficult to communicate with counselors, advisors, being connected to other resources and receiving full information. The experience on campus is generally overhyped, the pools and sports culture will definitely lure you, but the lack of food options, accessibility to groceries, and disregard for mental well-being for students at the school is enough for me to suggest considering a different school."
Johnathan Ligon
- Reviewed: 4/2/2025
- Degree: Software Engineering
- Graduation Year: 2028
"Grand Canyon University ReviewGrand Canyon University (GCU) offers an exceptional educational experience that combines a supportive community with rigorous academic standards. The online and in person campus is vibrant and welcoming, fostering a sense of belonging among students. The variety of programs allows for diverse academic pursuits, ensuring that everyone can find their niche.One of the standout features of GCU is the dedicated faculty. Professors are not only knowledgeable in their fields but also genuinely invested in student success. They are approachable and willing to provide assistance, whether through office hours or online forums. Their feedback is constructive and timely, which greatly enhances the learning experience.Overall, GCU provides a comprehensive educational environment, where students can thrive academically and personally, thanks to the combination of excellent programs and supportive faculty. Highly recommended for anyone looking to further their education!Thank you,Johnathan Ligon"
Ali
- Reviewed: 3/14/2025
- Degree: Clinical Psychology
- Graduation Year: 2025
"Academic advisor and the university are dishonest . My particular academic advisor was rude , unprofessional and dishonest . I asked for help from her supervisor , the University provost and got no replies or assistance . No wonder they have been audited be a use they are a money making machine with no integrity . I am quite disappointed in this institution ."
SE
- Reviewed: 1/27/2025
- Degree: Early Childhood Education
- Graduation Year: 2025
"This school has worse communication than any school I have ever attended. I have been to 4 colleges, and I have never had an issue with communicating with management. The Financial Advisor is off more than anyone I know and as well never responds it may take a week, and continuously calling and pressing 2 to speak to someone else and then being told they can't help, you need to talk to your advisor. I have also never heard of a university that does not direct deposit checks you have to wait til they are ready to send your money. I have been out of school, quitting 3 weeks ago due to communication issues. The field adviser is just as bad because she tells me to read the email I sent you and then can't tell me anything else. I would not recommend this place to anyone except the BBB because they are there for money issues."
NortJ
- Reviewed: 1/22/2025
- Degree: Accounting
- Graduation Year: 2026
"Online learning with GCU meant reading a book and teaching yourself and losing complete access to that book after class was over. The teachers didn't engage except in discussion forums and not to teach the material. There was no additional learning formats provided outside of the "intro to school" classes. Very little effort put into actually teaching. Left and was charged a large sum to leave. They will not quote you a potential amount if you are considering dropping a course you have yo drop it and find out. Definitely money hungry and not focused on educating, just getting students enrolled."
CG
- Reviewed: 10/27/2023
- Degree: Business Administration
- Graduation Year: 2027
"Honestly, just run far away from this school and anything they “have to offer”. First, the student service counselors are deceiving. This is obviously a for-profit college that wants to belittle their students and strip them of all of their money. You will be harassed to no end after being blatantly deceived. Second, the courses are hysterical and not even remotely related to your degree. You spend so much time on these course and waste a year away. Doing online college shouldn't even take 4 years, because you don’t even get the same “breaks” as on campus students. They trick the system, trick financial aid, and leverage any kind of money they earn over your head. Avoid GCU at all costs."
SC Teacher
- Reviewed: 10/25/2023
- Degree: Education Administration
- Graduation Year: 2023
"GCU came along at the right time for me. I returned to education after a 20 year stint in the Auction Industry. The classes allowed for me to continue my coaching career while working toward my masters. The instructors for the most part were willing to work with me in order to stay caught up with the assignments. It does get tedious at times but all things do. If you are serious and meet the deadlines you will have no issues. I believe most of the people who complain probably are not staying up to date on the work or feel that the work is not worthy of their time. I am glad I finished and would not have been able to get my masters if it had not been for GCU. Go Lopes!"
Benjamin75
- Reviewed: 10/22/2023
- Degree: Psychology
- Graduation Year: 2022
"Attending this University was a negative experience. The student service office is lazy, dishonest, and disrespects the student. Some teachers know the problems in the unsupportive administration of this center, which is a joke, and they take advantage by disrespecting the students, etc."
Shawn H
- Reviewed: 9/30/2023
- Degree: Nursing
- Graduation Year: 2023
"I am currently in the last class of my degree however, due to the counselors disorganization I am unable to continue. I am on hold for 3 months now and unable to finish my degree. I would not recommend this school at all. Overall, I have had a poor experience. This is my second degree and 4th college attending in my life and so far it is the worst experience I have had. The office of field experience is horrible and I have had 3 different counselors working on my field experience. Every time they call they have no clue what is going on."
SH
- Reviewed: 9/27/2023
- Degree: Nursing
- Graduation Year: 2023
"Things you should know: -I was lied to, mislead and miscommunicated to multiple times about the ABSN program. -They are very disorganized, I had multiple advisors (4 in a year) because my advisors kept quiting, and the new adivsor would be confused and unable to answer my questions, frequently misrepresenting information and sending me to the wrong place, even for small things like technical support. -This school is very expensive, and advisors will suggest that you take out student loans + extra so you can "afford" not to work. For me, advisors suggested I take out 75K in student loans to complete a 1.5 year program. Specifically about ABSN: -The semesters are structured at a truly paced at break neck speeds. The first nursing school semester is 19 credit hours + clinicals. I was told when I was entering it would "not be possible to work" - Keep that in mind if you chose this program. -You cannot take part time or reduced hours whatsoever. -All the semesters were 17+ credit hours + clinical experiences, with no way to change this. -You cannot transfer from the ABSN to the regular BSN program if you decide a class or schedule or the break neck pace doesn't work for you. They are two separate programs, and you have to go back and reapply to the college. -The program is more than 50k, for 1.5 years of instruction. Go to this school if you: have 50k to spend, someone who will support you entirely so that you can completely quit your job, or you want to take on 75k+ in debt and don't mind a totally disorganized, ever changing staff."
Holly
- Reviewed: 9/15/2023
- Degree: Communications
- Graduation Year: 2024
"My advice would be to look elsewhere. I should have done more research and gone to somewhere like Liberty University. This has not been a good experience as far as knowledgeable and helpful instructors go. I have never been called by my Student Counselor. The material and curriculum for every class I have has so far has been flawed. I have an gotten A's so far. It seems like the program in new which they are saying it is not. However, for an established program, it should not have flaws in weekly materials, all of those discrepancies should have been worked out by now. Beware and do your reseach before jumping into GCU."
MB
- Reviewed: 8/29/2023
- Degree: Teaching
- Graduation Year: 2019
"At first I thought GCU was an awesome school. The classes are challenging and I loved that. As the classes progressed I realized all they wanted to do is indoctrinate students in to a one world government. They’re not Christians they’re Democrats. I also feel they required you take an excessive amount of unnecessary classes not pertaining to the degree. I definitely would not recommend this school. It saddens me to say that."
Marie Mckee
- Reviewed: 8/20/2023
- Degree: Nursing
- Graduation Year: 2023
"Horrible School! I do not recommend this school, especially their online classes. This university has a high rank of graduate students who can’t get a job anywhere, incompetent teachers who have no clue about the subjects. They are basically just in it for the money, but they can’t answer any of the student questions. I repeat, do not go to GCU, it is the worst school in the US. They will get your money, you will learn absolutely nothing. In addition, they would try to appear as Christian, but they truly are not. You will find out quick by their actions, they are not true Christians."
Raphael S
- Reviewed: 8/4/2023
- Degree: Computer and Information Science
- Graduation Year: 2023
"Horrible School, Terrible Program, Faculty is underqualified, Campus is Depressing, Entire Environment feels artificial, if they care so much about their school they should spend money improving conditions instead of trying to market the school eveywhere like a cancer."
Lorie Hane
- Reviewed: 7/30/2023
- Degree: RN to MSN
- Graduation Year: 2025
"I am shocked this school is still in business, to be honest. The entire experience was horrible. The staff are rude, the teachers are condescending and are never available to the students. In addition, you will never EVER get your transcripts! This school is a joke and should shut its doors! I took a few classes from this school and need my transcripts, they will take the money, but will not send the document. It is very storage why they are the ONLY nursing program that does not participate in third-party transcript service. RUN away from this tired old school!"
Anonymous
- Reviewed: 7/20/2023
- Degree: MBA in Organizational Leadership
- Graduation Year: 2025
"Originally I was admittedly hesitant to begin an online MBA program; however, my counselor and professors have been phenomenal. I’m currently in my fourth class (Finance 504), and although the program coursework is rigorous and seemingly daunting at times, I can’t speak highly enough on how much I appreciate receiving a quality education from this institution. Students definitely will have to dig into their texts and earn their degrees; nonetheless, the depth of knowledge and level of business acumen that this program provides will challenge and prepare students to achieve more in their communities, workplace, and future careers. I’ve literally put at least fifteen hours of studying in within a week because the coursework is so engaging that it makes one not want to stop learning. I could complete requirements with a third of the time, but engaging with such interesting material inspires me to glean as much as I can from this experience. Thanks to GCU for preparing me for a brighter future and providing a biblical foundation, which only enhances knowledge of servant leadership and financial literacy."
Jen
- Reviewed: 7/18/2023
- Degree: Clinical Psychology
- Graduation Year: 2016
"I attended Grand Canyon University for several years, expecting to graduate with the ability to license as a clinical counselor, only to find it impossible to complete to be licensed. Had I known their accreditation would not satisfy state requirements I would have never ever waited my time and all of the money I now owe in student loan debt."