History of Grand Canyon University in Timeline

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a sizable private Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers over 200 degree programs across nine colleges. As of September 2023, GCU had over 100,000 enrolled students, both online and on-campus, establishing it as one of the largest Christian universities based on student enrollment. The U.S. Department of Education classifies it as a for-profit institution, a designation the university is currently appealing.

1949: Grand Canyon College Founded

In 1949, Grand Canyon College was established as a nonprofit institution in Prescott, Arizona, by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention to provide local Baptists with college degrees.

1949: Inception of GCU intercollegiate athletics

In 1949, Grand Canyon University started sponsoring intercollegiate athletics with men's basketball as the first sport.

1949: Establishment of Grand Canyon College

In 1949, the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention founded Grand Canyon College in Prescott, Arizona.

October 8, 1951: Relocation to Phoenix

On October 8, 1951, Grand Canyon College relocated to its current location in Phoenix, Arizona.

1961: Grand Canyon College enters candidacy for accreditation

In 1961, Grand Canyon College entered candidacy for accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1968: School regionally accredited by North Central Association

By 1968, Grand Canyon College was regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the predecessor to the HLC.

1984: Transition to University Approved

In 1984, the college's trustees voted to transition the college to a university.

1989: Grand Canyon College Becomes Grand Canyon University

In 1989, Grand Canyon College officially transitioned to Grand Canyon University during the school's 40th anniversary.

1990: GCU becomes NCAA Division II member

In 1990, Grand Canyon University transitioned from being an NAIA member to becoming an NCAA Division II member.

1999: Severance from Southern Baptist Convention

In 1999, Grand Canyon University ended its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention, transitioning to a non-denominational Christian institution.

2000: Transition to Non-Denominational Christian

During the 1999-2000 academic year, Grand Canyon University officially became a non-denominational Christian institution.

2004: Sale to Significant Education, LLC

In 2004, facing financial difficulties, Grand Canyon University's trustees authorized its sale to Significant Education, LLC, a California-based company, making it the first for-profit Christian college in the United States.

2005: Significant Education Becomes a Corporation

In 2005, Significant Education became a corporation.

2006: Campus Renovations

In 2006, Grand Canyon University invested $150 million to renovate its campus, adding a brick promenade, an aquatics center, and a café.

2008: Enrollment Growth

In 2008, Grand Canyon University had fewer than 1,000 students enrolled.

2008: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Publicly Traded

In 2008, Significant Education became publicly traded under the name Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (GCE) and began trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "LOPE".

2008: Federal Government Sues GCU

In 2008, the federal government sued Grand Canyon University for incentive compensation violations related to enrollment counselors and federal financial aid.

2009: Campus Expansion Project Begins

In 2009, Grand Canyon University initiated a $60 million campus expansion project.

September 2, 2011: GCU Arena Opens

On September 2, 2011, the Grand Canyon University Arena opened, hosting concerts, speakers, and athletic events.

2013: Joins Western Athletic Conference

Grand Canyon University became a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for the 2013–14 academic year.

2013: GCU becomes NCAA Division I member

In 2013, Grand Canyon University transitioned to NCAA Division I.

2014: Student Loan Debt

By 2014, Grand Canyon University students' accumulated student loan debt was estimated at more than $5.9 billion.

2014: Exploration of Return to Nonprofit Status

In the fall of 2014, Grand Canyon University announced its intention to explore a return to nonprofit status.

2015: Economic Impact Study

A 2015 economic impact study revealed that Grand Canyon University was adding approximately $1 billion to the state's economy each year during its expansion.

2015: ACLU advocates for equal benefits for same-sex spouses

In 2015, the ACLU of Arizona advocated on behalf of two Grand Canyon University employees whose same-sex spouses were denied health insurance and other employee spouse benefits. In response, Grand Canyon University changed its policy to allow employees in same-sex marriages to receive equal marriage benefits, while reiterating its religious belief regarding marriage.

August 2016: Announcement of "10 in 2" Initiative

In August 2016, Grand Canyon University announced its "10 in 2" initiative, involving the construction of 10 on-campus athletic facilities within two years.

August 2016: Establishment of the GCU Police Department

In August 2016, Grand Canyon University announced the establishment of the Grand Canyon University Police Department.

December 3, 2016: Rick Pitino Comments on GCU Crowd

On December 3, 2016, College basketball hall of fame coach Rick Pitino called Grand Canyon University the "toughest crowd I've ever faced" after his team won by nine at GCU.

2016: Higher Learning Commission Rejects Nonprofit Petition

In 2016, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) initially rejected Grand Canyon University's petition for conversion to nonprofit status.

2016: Online Seminary Opens

In Fall of 2016, Grand Canyon University opened an online seminary.

February 2017: Neighborhoods Surrounding GCU Experience Growth

In February 2017, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey noted a 30% increase in housing values and a 30% decrease in crime rates in the neighborhoods surrounding Grand Canyon University.

April 2017: Nursing Program Censured

In April 2017, Arizona nursing board officials censured Grand Canyon University after the school's nursing programs fell below an 80% graduation rate for two consecutive years.

2017: GCU successfully renews accreditation

In 2017, Grand Canyon University successfully renewed its 10-year comprehensive evaluation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

2017: Success in the WAC

Since 2017, Grand Canyon University's athletic program has been the most successful in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), winning the WAC Commissioner's Cup seven times.

July 1, 2018: HLC Accepts Application to Change to Nonprofit Status

On July 1, 2018, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accepted Grand Canyon University's application to change to nonprofit status.

2018: Arizona State Board of Nursing Censures GCU's Nursing Program

In 2018, the Arizona State Board of Nursing censured Grand Canyon University's nursing program due to the number of first-time students failing to pass the registered nursing exam and after numerous complaints by students and faculty.

2020: Resumption of Sporting Events with ASU

In 2020, Arizona State University reversed its initial decision to decline competition against Grand Canyon University, and sporting events between the two universities recommenced.

2020: Opening of ABSN Locations

In 2020, Grand Canyon University opened its first two ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) locations, in Sun City and Tucson.

2021: Lawsuit Filed Over CARES Act Funds and Nonprofit Status Denial

In 2021, Grand Canyon University filed a lawsuit after not receiving CARES Act relief funds and being denied non-profit status twice.

2021: University acceptance rate and retention rate

In 2021, Grand Canyon University had an undergraduate acceptance rate of 76.9%, with 23% of those admitted enrolling. The freshman retention rate was 61%.

2021: University Acceptance Rate

In 2021, the university acceptance rate was 76.9%; of those admitted, 23% enrolled.

May 9, 2022: Opening of ABSN Location in Sandy, Utah

On May 9, 2022, Grand Canyon University opened an ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) location in Sandy, Utah.

2022: Inaugural season of GCU Roller Hockey

In 2022, Aydin Schwetz established the GCU Roller Hockey team, which became a member of the NCRHA Division I and played primarily in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League. The on-campus roller hockey rink was fully funded by the NHL Arizona Coyotes in 2022.

2022: Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Nonprofit Status

In 2022, a federal district judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by Grand Canyon University regarding the denial of nonprofit status.

September 7, 2023: Opening of 5th ABSN Location

On September 7, 2023, Grand Canyon University announced the opening of its 5th ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) location in Chandler, Arizona.

September 2023: Student Enrollment Exceeds 100,000

In September 2023, Grand Canyon University's enrollment exceeded 100,000 students, both online and in person, establishing it as one of the largest Christian universities based on enrollment.

September 18, 2023: Opening of 6th ABSN Location

On September 18, 2023, Grand Canyon University opened its 6th ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) location in Phoenix's West Valley with a grand opening ceremony.

October 2023: GCU Alleges Concerted Effort by Government Agencies

In October 2023, a Grand Canyon University press release claimed a concerted effort by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Veterans Affairs to penalize the school for pursuing nonprofit status.

2023: Department of Education Fines GCU

In 2023, the Department of Education fined Grand Canyon University $37.7 million for allegedly deceiving students about the cost of doctoral degrees.

2023: FTC Files Lawsuit Against GCU

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit alleging that Grand Canyon University deceived prospective doctoral students about the cost of its program and its for-profit status.

2023: Seminary Begins Offering In-Person Courses

In Fall of 2023, Grand Canyon University's seminary began offering in-person courses as well.

2023: GCU Lopes emerge as NCRHA Division I Champions

In the 2023–24 season, the GCU Lopes won the NCRHA Division I Championship.

April 20, 2024: GCU Lopes win NCRHA Division I Championship

On April 20, 2024, the GCU Lopes won the NCRHA Division I Championship by defeating the Lindenwood Lions 2–1 in triple-overtime at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn, Maine.

May 10, 2024: Announcement of Move to West Coast Conference

On May 10, 2024, Grand Canyon University announced it would be moving to the West Coast Conference for its primary conference affiliation beginning in July 2025.

November 1, 2024: Announcement of Move to Mountain West Conference

On November 1, 2024, Grand Canyon University declined its invitation to the West Coast Conference and announced a move to the Mountain West Conference for no later than 2026.

November 2024: Court Overturns Denial of Nonprofit Status

In November 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned the district judge's decision and ruled that the U.S. Department of Education erred in denying Grand Canyon University nonprofit status.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Grand Canyon University 193rd among 438 national universities in the U.S. for contribution to the public good, including social mobility, research, and promoting public service.