Finance and Accounting at Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University appears in our ranking of the Top 35 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Finance.
Grand Canyon University offers several degrees in finance and accounting in different specializations, degree levels, and formats. Finance degrees available include a Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics, and a Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Finance.
Students who are interested in accounting programs may choose from the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, the Master of Science in Accounting, or the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Accounting. Students who choose the route of accounting will enroll in classes that cover topics like auditing standards, ethical issues, theories and practices of income tax preparation, job order systems, budgeting, and financial statements.
Most states require that students earn 150 credits to qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam, and students can use the accounting programs at Grand Canyon University to be eligible for that examination. Some of the careers available to graduates of the accounting programs at GCU include accountants, credit analysts, revenue agents, financial examiners, tax examiners, auditors, and tax collectors.
Accounting and finance programs are offered by the Colangelo College of Business, and the academic programs within the university’s business school offer instruction in several areas beyond finance and accounting. Students will receive instruction on topics like marketing, economics, strategic management, and business statistics alongside their accounting and finance curriculums.
Some of the accounting classes a student may take at GCU include Management Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Advanced Accounting. Meanwhile, students in finance programs may see classes like Fundamentals of Business Finance, Economics of Money, Banking, & Financial Markets, Intermediate Finance, and Introduction to Investments.
Applicants who choose the route of a graduate degree at GCU in accounting or finance will need to choose between the Master of Science or Master of Business Administration option. Students with an interest in general business topics, entrepreneurship, and starting their own businesses may benefit from the MBA option. Prospective students who want to work as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Financial Planner may want to pursue the Master of Science path.
About Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University was established in 1949 and existed briefly as a for-profit institution in the early 2000s before it was made a non-profit university. The school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and has approximately 90,500 students attending classes at its campus and online. The university places its programs within nine colleges that offer degrees in areas like fine arts, education, business, and the humanities.
The campus in Phoenix covers 100 acres, and the school has spent more than $150 million to renovate the campus with new features like an aquatics center and brick promenade. The university’s official colors are black, purple, and white, and the school’s athletic teams are known as the Antelopes. Sports are played in NCAA Division I games, and the university’s official mascot is known as Thunder the Antelope.
Grand Canyon University Accreditation Details
Regional accreditation for Grand Canyon University comes from the Higher Learning Commission, and the university has maintained its accreditation since 1968. The most recent reaccreditation cycle occurred in 2017 when the university underwent a comprehensive review of its mission, conduct, integrity, and learning quality. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for its work.
Some programs and departments at Grand Canyon University are also accredited by various organizations. The Colangelo College of Business offers 19 different programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Some of the accredited programs include those in accounting, finance, business, and marketing. The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation has accredited programs leading to initial teacher licensure.
Grand Canyon University Application Requirements
When students apply to Grand Canyon University, the admissions staff takes the highest score the student receives from the SAT and ACT when determining whether to allow the student to attend the university. The university also employs weighted GPAs for all four years of high school when making an admissions decision. Items like honors programs and Advanced Placement courses can increase a student’s GPA on his or her college application.
Students who want to enroll in on-campus programs will fill out the official application, submit transcripts, and arrange a visit to the campus. Online students will also submit the application form and request transcripts. Once accepted for enrollment, students should research financial aid options and fill out their FAFSA form. Admissions counselors are available to all students who need assistance with the admissions process or choosing classes.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Grand Canyon University is a private university that charges the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students. The cost for tuition is $16,500, with on-campus students paying an additional $7,700 for room and board, as well as $1,600 for various fees. Students may enroll in individual courses for $687.50 per credit. The university also offers a $210 per-course rate for high school students interested in dual enrollment programs.
The university charges different per-credit rates for its undergraduate and graduate programs offered online and held during the evening. For undergraduate students, education and science programs are $440 per credit, theology programs are $395 per credit, IT programs are $449 per credit, and professional studies programs are $479 per credit. Graduate tuition for online programs is also charged by the credit and varies from $350 per credit to $670 per credit.
The university offers scholarships that reduce the average cost of tuition for campus-based students to around $8,700 per year, which is nearly a 50 percent reduction in full tuition costs. To qualify for financial aid, students will fill out their FAFSA form, as well as any additional forms required by the university for aid like institutional grants and scholarships. Students should apply for financial aid as soon after October 1 as possible.
To receive financial aid at the university, students must be admitted to the university, enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or degree, have good academic standing, and make satisfactory academic progress throughout their time at the university. The Department of Education offers more than $150 billion in work-study awards, low-interest loans, and grants to students each year across the United States, and students who attend Grand Canyon University may qualify for these funds.
