University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Grand Canyon 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
Grand Canyon University holds a 17-point ROI advantage over University of Phoenix-Arizona, scoring 25/100 versus 8/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Phoenix-Arizona comes in at $13,520 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,472 at Grand Canyon University - a difference of $8,952 annually, or roughly $35,808 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Grand Canyon University graduates earn a median of $42,186 compared to $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The payback period is 70.5 years at University of Phoenix-Arizona versus 32 years at Grand Canyon University.
Graduates leave Grand Canyon University with a median $22,114 in debt versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.61 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Phoenix-Ari... | Grand Canyon University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,552 | $17,850 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $9,552 | $17,850 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,520 | $22,472 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $54,080 | $89,888 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $36,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $37,752 | $42,186 |
| Graduation Rate | 20.8% | 43.5% |
| Payback Period | 70.5 yr | 32 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $31,553 | $22,114 |
| Monthly Payment | $335 | $234 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.92 | 0.61 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 42.1% | 64.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.1% | 35.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 78.9% |
| Enrollment | 85,991 | 73,371 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Phoeni... | Grand Canyon Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,776 | $18,557 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,833 | $18,763 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,963 | $21,712 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $17,177 | $24,471 |
| $110,001+ | $19,150 | $25,701 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Phoeni... | Grand Canyon Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $109,844 | $103,884 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $75,805 | $85,864 |
| Homeland Security | $68,161 | $84,553 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $80,134 | $72,124 |
| Computer Programming | $76,918 | $52,190 |
| Marketing | $72,745 | $60,303 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,425 | $65,828 |
| Accounting | $63,113 | $67,067 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,365 | $60,328 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,523 | $54,622 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,662 | $55,600 |
| Teacher Education | $49,626 | $49,531 |
| Human Services, General | $47,742 | $48,766 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $40,810 | $46,973 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Phoeni... | Grand Canyon Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 11 | 16 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 17 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 7 | 48 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 5 | 27 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 26 |
| Overall ROI Score | 8 | 25 |
The Verdict
Grand Canyon University significantly outperforms University of Phoenix-Arizona on financial ROI (25 vs 8). The 17-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Phoenix-Arizona offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Grand Canyon University.
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University of Phoenix-Arizona
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Grand Canyon 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.