Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit · Doctoral / professional

SAT middle 50% (admitted students)

1010–1110

Median ~1060

Acceptance rate

79%

Enrollment

73,371

ACT middle 50%

20–22

How GCU compares

The ~1060 SAT midpoint ranks #175 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #2 of 2 in AZ.
Its 79% acceptance rate is more selective than 29% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
Median earnings 10 years after entry ($42,186) are $20,880 below the $63,066 median across that pool.

National SAT rank

#175 of 197

SAT rank in AZ

#2 of 2

More selective than

29% of ranked colleges

Earnings vs national median

−$20,880

What the numbers say about GCU

The reported middle 50% spans 100 points, from 1010 to 1110. A planning score near or above 1150 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
The Scorecard snapshot reports a 79% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
Reported outcomes include a 43% completion rate and $42,186 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

Understand a 1060 SAT score Plan for a 1100 Verify current admissions policy

Tuition and outcomes

Tuition (in-state)

$17,850

Tuition (out-of-state)

$17,850

Median earnings 10 years after entry

$42,186

4-year completion rate (150% time)

43%

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

How your SAT score lines up

The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1010 and 1110. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

1150 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
1110 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
1060 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
1010 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.

At or above 1110

Strong relative score

At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

1010–1100

Within the reported range

Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

Below 1010

Below the reported range

Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

Compare to other colleges →

Colleges with similar SAT scores

Ranked by proximity to GCU's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

College	Location	SAT middle 50%	Acceptance rate
Brevard College	Brevard, NC	870–1220	42%
Pennsylvania Western University	California, PA	940–1140	94%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Little Rock, AR	960–1210	59%
Johnson & Wales University-Providence	Providence, RI	890–1160	88%
North Carolina A & T State University	Greensboro, NC	1020–1190	50%
Georgia Southern University	Statesboro, GA	990–1130	88%

FAQs

What SAT score do I need for GCU?

Grand Canyon University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1010–1110, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1150 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

What is GCU's acceptance rate?

Grand Canyon University's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 79%.

How much does it cost to attend GCU?

Published tuition is approximately $17,850 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

Is GCU test-optional?

Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check Grand Canyon University's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

Official site: www.gcu.edu