History of Grand Canyon University in Timeline

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona. GCU provides over 200 degree programs across nine colleges. With a total enrollment exceeding 100,000 students both online and on campus as of September 2023, it stands as one of the largest Christian universities based on student population.

1949: Inception of Intercollegiate Athletics

Grand Canyon University has sponsored intercollegiate athletics since the school's inception in 1949, starting with just men's basketball.

1949: Grand Canyon College Founded in Prescott, Arizona

In 1949, Grand Canyon College was founded as a nonprofit institution in Prescott, Arizona, by the Arizona Southern Baptists Convention to allow local Baptists to obtain college degrees.

1949: Establishment of Grand Canyon College

In 1949, the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention established Grand Canyon College.

October 8, 1951: Relocation to Phoenix

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

1961: Grand Canyon College Enters Candidacy for Accreditation

In 1961, Grand Canyon College began its journey toward accreditation by entering candidacy with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1968: Regional Accreditation Achieved

In 1968, Grand Canyon College achieved regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the predecessor to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1984: Transition to University Approved

In 1984, the college's trustees voted to transition the college to a university for the school's 40th anniversary.

1989: Grand Canyon College Becomes Grand Canyon University

In 1989, Grand Canyon College transitioned to a university and became Grand Canyon University. At this time, it also changed governance from the Southern Baptist Convention to the GCU Board of Trustees.

1990: NAIA Membership Ends

Grand Canyon University was an NAIA member until 1990.

1999: Ending Affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention

During the 1999-2000 academic year, Grand Canyon University ended its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.

2000: Ending Affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention

During the 1999-2000 academic year, Grand Canyon University ended its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.

2004: Sale to Significant Education, LLC

In 2004, facing financial difficulties, Grand Canyon University's trustees authorized its sale to California-based Significant Education, LLC, 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 Renovation Project

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

2008: Enrollment Size Increase

After the infusion of capital, Grand Canyon University's size increased. After having fewer than 1,000 students enrolled in 2008, the university had 17,500 students in the spring of 2017.

2008: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Goes Public

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

2008: Government Sues GCU for Incentive Compensation Violation

In 2008, the federal government sued Grand Canyon University for paying enrollment counselors based on enrollment numbers while accepting federal financial aid, violating the Department of Education's incentive compensation ban. Grand Canyon University reached a settlement in the case and was forced to pay a $5.2 million fine to a former employee and the government.

2009: $60 Million Campus Expansion Project Begins

In 2009, Grand Canyon University began work on a $60 million campus expansion project, including a 500-bed dormitory, a fitness and recreation center, a classroom facility, a food court and bowling alley, and a 5,000-seat arena.

September 2, 2011: GCU Arena Opens

On September 2, 2011, the Grand Canyon University Arena opened. It is used for concerts, speakers, sporting and other events.

2013: NCAA Division I

Grand Canyon University has been NCAA Division I since 2013.

2013: Joins Western Athletic Conference

Grand Canyon University joined the Western Athletic Conference in 2013.

2014: Student Loan Debt Estimated at Over $5.9 Billion

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

2014: GCU Arena Expansion to 7,000 Seats

In 2014, the GCU Arena was expanded to 7,000 seats.

2014: Exploration of Return to Nonprofit Status Announced

In Fall 2014, Grand Canyon University announced the exploration of a return to nonprofit status.

2015: Economic Impact of $1 Billion Annually

A 2015 economic impact study revealed that the university was adding about $1 billion into the state's economy each year during its expansion.

August 2016: GCU Announces 10 in 2 Initiative

In August 2016, Grand Canyon University announced its 10 in 2 initiative, involving the building of 10 on-campus athletic facilities in a two-year span.

August 2016: Opening of Seminary Announced

In August 2016, Grand Canyon University announced that it was opening a seminary.

August 2016: Establishment of the GCU Police Department

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

December 3, 2016: Rick Pitino Calls GCU Crowd Toughest He's Ever Faced

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 Grand Canyon University.

2016: HLC Rejects Petition for Conversion to Nonprofit Status

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

February 2017: Neighborhoods Experience Increased Housing Values and Decreased Crime Rates

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

April 2017: Arizona Nursing Board Censures GCU

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

2017: Accreditation Renewal

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

2017: Most Successful Athletics Program

Since joining the Western Athletic Conference in 2013–14, Grand Canyon University has been the conference's most successful athletics program by winning the WAC Commissioner's Cup six times since 2017.

July 1, 2018: HLC Approves Change to Nonprofit Status

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

2018: Arizona 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. In the second quarter of 2018, GCU nursing students posted a 95.65% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

2020: Resumption of Sporting Events Between ASU and GCU

In 2020, Arizona State University reversed its initial position and sporting events between ASU and GCU recommenced.

2020: First Two ABSN Locations Open

In 2020, Grand Canyon University opened its first two ABSN locations, in Sun City and Tucson.

2021: Lawsuit Filed Over Coronavirus Relief Funds

In 2021, Grand Canyon University filed a lawsuit claiming it didn't receive all the coronavirus relief funds to which it was entitled. The same year, GCU sued the U.S. Department of Education after being denied nonprofit status twice.

2021: University Acceptance Rate and Enrollment

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

2021: University Acceptance Rate was 76.9%

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

May 9, 2022: ABSN Location Opens in Sandy, Utah

On May 9, 2022, Grand Canyon University opened an ABSN location in Sandy, Utah.

2022: Inaugural Season of GCU Roller Hockey

Grand Canyon University Roller Hockey's inaugural season took place during 2022–23. The team and program were established by Aydin Schwetz in the summer of 2022.

2022: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report classified Grand Canyon University as a Tier 2 institution within the "National Universities" category, placing it in the bottom 25 percent of institutions in its ranking category.

2022: Lawsuit Dismissed

In 2022, the suit filed by Grand Canyon University against the U.S. Department of Education was initially dismissed after a federal judge rejected the university's claims.

September 7, 2023: Opening of 5th ABSN Location

On September 7, 2023, Grand Canyon University announced the opening of its 5th ABSN location in Chandler, Arizona.

September 2023: Student Enrollment Exceeds 100,000

In September 2023, Grand Canyon University's student enrollment exceeded 100,000 students, both online and in person, making it one of the largest Christian universities by enrollment.

September 18, 2023: Opening of 6th ABSN Location in Phoenix

Grand Canyon University opened its 6th ABSN location in Phoenix's West Valley with a grand opening ceremony on September 18, 2023.

October 2023: Allegations of Concerted Effort to Punish GCU

In October 2023, a Grand Canyon University press release alleged that there was a concerted effort by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Veterans Affairs to punish the school for attempting to gain nonprofit status.

2023: Federal Trade Commission Files Lawsuit Against GCU

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

2023: Department of Education Fines GCU $37.7 Million

In 2023, the Department of Education fined Grand Canyon University $37.7 million for allegedly deceiving students about the cost of doctoral degrees. The department alleged that 78% of students in those programs paid about 25% more than the represented cost.

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

On April 20, 2024, the GCU Lopes secured the NCRHA Division I Championship in only their second season, defeating the undefeated Lindenwood Lions 2–1 in triple-overtime at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn, Maine.

May 10, 2024: Move to West Coast Conference Announced

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: Move to Mountain West Conference Announced

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

November 2024: Court Rules Against Department of Education on Nonprofit Status Denial

In November 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the U.S. Department of Education erred in denying Grand Canyon University nonprofit status by applying the wrong standard of assessment.

November 2024: Court Orders Re-evaluation of GCU's Classification

As of November 2024, a court has ordered the Education Department to re-evaluate its classification of Grand Canyon University, using a different standard.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Grand Canyon University 193rd out of 438 national universities in the U.S., based on the university's contribution to the public good, including social mobility, research, and public service promotion.