Grand Canyon University SAT scores and admissions
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit · Doctoral / professional
The figures above are the stored federal Scorecard snapshot, imported April 25, 2026. Its fields can cover different reporting years. Current university profiles below can describe a different cohort or applicant group.
How GCU compares
- Its SAT rank in the stored federal dataset is #179 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.
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.
Tuition and outcomes
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; our 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, not an admission guarantee.
- 1110 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
- 1060 SAT (range midpoint): Within the reported range; not a measured median.
- 1010 SAT (reported 25th percentile): At the lower end of the reported middle-50% range.
Strong relative score
At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.
Within the reported range
Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.
Below the reported range
Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 940–1180 | 55% |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 990–1130 | 88% |
| Brevard College | Brevard, NC | 870–1220 | 42% |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | 950–1150 | 68% |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 950–1180 | 61% |
| University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 870–1270 | 93% |
Questions about GCU
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 historical College Scorecard snapshot reports approximately 79%. This is a past institution-wide applicant pool, not an individual admission probability.
How much does it cost to attend GCU?
Historical published tuition is approximately $17,850 per year (excludes room, board, fees).
Is GCU test-optional?
The College Scorecard does not record testing policy, and this page has not checked Grand Canyon University's current rule. Confirm whether it is test-optional, test-required, or test-blind on its admissions page before you apply.