Academic Comparison between UTRGV and GCU

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Grand Canyon University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UTRGV is a four-year, public school located in Edinburg, TX and GCU is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Phoenix, AZ.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UTRGV is a public and GCU is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UTRGV has more expensive tuition & fees ($19,542) than GCU ($17,263).
  • It is harder to admit to GCU than UTRGV.
  • GCU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,020) than UTRGV (1,020).
  • GCU has higher submitted ACT score (19) than UTRGV (19).
  • GCU has more students with 101,816 students while UTRGV has 31,559 students.
  • UTRGV has a lower number of students per faculty with 19 to 1 while GCU's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UTRGV has more full-time faculties with 1,335 faculties while GCU has 461 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valleyvs.Grand Canyon University
Edinburg, TexasLocationPhoenix, Arizona
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$9,467
Out-Of-State$19,542
2024 Tuition & Fees$17,263
89%% Receiving Financial Aid80%
$7,475Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,183
85.00 %Acceptance Rates60.00 %
49.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.00 %
1,020SAT Score1,105
19ACT Score21
52 %Graduation Rate45 %
17 %Transfer-out Rate-
76 %Retention Rate70 %
31,559Student Population101,816
1,335Number of Faculties461
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services
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