GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY PROJECTS RECORD ENROLLMENT OF 133,000 STUDENTS FOR 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR

PHOENIX, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Grand Canyon University's reputation as a national Christian university continues to expand, with another record-breaking enrollment year projected for 2025-26.

Drawing students from all 50 states through its Phoenix campus, 11 hybrid learning sites across the country, and its robust online programs, GCU expects total enrollment this fall to reach 133,000 students – an increase of roughly 8% from fall 2024-25. That includes a projected 10% rise in new students at its thriving Phoenix campus, where approximately 25,000 students study in person.

GCU President Brian Mueller attributed the university's surging enrollment to three core strengths:

1. High-quality academics taught from a Christian worldview perspective
2. A longstanding commitment to affordability
3. A vibrant Christ-centered campus culture

"There is no shortage of families looking for high-quality, affordable education options rooted in Christian values,' Mueller said. "And they come from every corner of the country."

Commitment to Affordability and Diversity

GCU has frozen tuition costs on its Phoenix campus for 17 consecutive years, with only nominal 1% increases in online tuition. This commitment to affordability has opened doors to students across all socioeconomic backgrounds, creating a diverse community on its Phoenix campus where more than 40% of students are people of color – including 26% Hispanic and 6% Black.

Strengthening Faith in Education

While a national study by the Barna Group reveals that as many as 70% of students lose their faith in college, GCU has fostered the opposite outcome. Internal surveys show that more than 90% of students – both on campus and online – feel supported through GCU's integration of faith both in academics and campus life. Many others who come to GCU with no church background are also embracing faith as they are exposed to it for the first time.

"If I ask students on our ground campus why they chose GCU, 9 out of 10 will say it is because of the community atmosphere on campus," Mueller said. "It's what we're known for, and faith plays a big part in creating that culture."

Expanding Campus Life

Students arriving this fall will find another new residence hall – the Gila River Apartments – GCU's 33^rd multi-story residence hall on-campus. Nearly 17,000 students will live in university-owned campus housing, which GCU believes to be the largest on-campus housing community of any private university in the country and second only to Michigan State among all universities.

Featuring apartment-style suites with four single-occupancy bedrooms, two bathrooms, and shared kitchens and living spaces, GCU residence halls are consistently ranked among the nation's best. Niche.com currently rates GCU's housing No. 4 out of 1,353 colleges based on student surveys, quality, affordability and safety.

Welcome Week and Campus Spirit

Move-in for students begins Aug. 25, kicking off Welcome Week 2025, a spirited tradition that includes more than 105 events organized by Welcome Programs staff alongside more than 500 Welcome Crew and Student Affairs volunteers. Activities range from student orientations, daily socials and nightly events such as Canyon Cooldown, Silent Disco and the inspirational Ignite worship ceremony, which sets the tone spiritually for the school year.

Welcome Week culminates in a packed weekend of campus pride, featuring a standing-room-only women's volleyball game Friday night at Global Credit Union Arena vs. Long Island University, the high-energy Lope-A-Palooza pep rally, and a free concert on Monday, Sept. 1, with Jake Scott, the platinum-selling indie/country singer-songwriter who has written songs for Jason Mraz, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and others.

Classes begin Sept. 2.

Advancing a Greater Mission

As GCU continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: to provide affordable, Christ-centered education that equips graduates to excel in their careers and serve with integrity in every sector of society. With more than 30,000 graduates entering the workforce each year, GCU is preparing a new generation of leaders – both academically and spiritually – to impact culture, strengthen communities and carry the gospel into the marketplace.

About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 353 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

SOURCE Grand Canyon University