Grand Canyon University vs Capella University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Capella University holds a 6-point ROI advantage over Grand Canyon University, scoring 31/100 versus 25/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Capella University comes in at $17,956 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,472 at Grand Canyon University - a difference of $4,516 annually, or roughly $18,064 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Capella University graduates earn a median of $42,189 compared to $42,186 at Grand Canyon University. The payback period is 32 years at Grand Canyon University versus 29.5 years at Capella University.
Graduates leave Capella University with a median $14,968 in debt versus $22,114 at Grand Canyon University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.61 and 0.29 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Grand Canyon University | Capella University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,850 | $14,400 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,850 | $14,400 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,472 | $17,956 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,888 | $71,824 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,000 | $51,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $42,186 | $42,189 |
| Graduation Rate | 43.5% | 20.0% |
| Payback Period | 32 yr | 29.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,114 | $14,968 |
| Monthly Payment | $234 | $159 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.61 | 0.29 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.8% | 59.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 35.9% | 32.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.9% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 73,371 | 18,364 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Grand Canyon Univers... | Capella University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $18,557 | $17,485 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,763 | $17,324 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $21,712 | $17,490 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,471 | $21,292 |
| $110,001+ | $25,701 | $22,820 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Grand Canyon Univers... | Capella University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $103,884 | $97,211 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $85,864 | $99,561 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,828 | $87,997 |
| Homeland Security | $84,553 | $76,446 |
| Marketing | $60,303 | $80,588 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $72,124 | $78,941 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $60,328 | $76,334 |
| Accounting | $67,067 | $71,589 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,600 | $59,375 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Grand Canyon Univers... | Capella University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 16 | 18 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 17 | 17 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 48 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 27 | 4 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 17 |
| Overall ROI Score | 25 | 31 |
The Verdict
Capella University has a meaningfully higher ROI score (31 vs 25). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Grand Canyon University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Grand Canyon University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Capella University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.