Christian college Grand Canyon University celebrates 18-year tuition freeze, record enrollment  

Grand Canyon University is celebrating its historic 18th straight year without raising tuition.

In an announcement on Jan. 7, GCU President Brian Mueller credited the school’s meteoric success to its commitment to affordability.

“When you look at the rising costs in higher education, it’s not surprising that families are questioning the value of a college education,” Mueller said. “By freezing our tuition for nearly two decades, we have been able to build trust and predictability without compromising our academics.”

Currently, GCU’s annual tuition for an in-person undergraduate is $16,500 (not including scholarships). Hybrid learners pay less than $11,000, while online programs cost around $400-485 per credit.

While the Christian college hasn’t raised its prices since 2008, the average cost of four-year degrees at other schools has risen 80%, according to College Board. During that same time period, GCU’s campus has tripled in size, with the number of in-person students increasing from 1,000 to 25,000.

“Our campus has grown exponentially, and we are blessed it has occurred without passing those costs on to students and without requiring state tax subsidies that public universities receive,” Mueller continued.

Last year, the university celebrated its largest-ever graduating class (over 31,000) and record-high enrollment. As of August, GCU had a total of 133,000 students enrolled for the fall semester, an 8% increase from the previous year.

But GCU isn’t the only Christian college that’s thriving.

Numerous other Christian universities have set enrollment records since the pandemic, even though overall college enrollment dropped.

Indeed, according to a 2021 report from the Digest of Education Statistics, religiously affiliated schools declined an average of just 3% over 10 years, while secular private schools declined 18%.

“There is no shortage of families looking for high-quality, affordable education options rooted in Christian values,” Mueller previously said. “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.

“It’s what we’re known for, and faith plays a big part in creating that culture.”