University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Grand Canyon University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Grand Canyon University comes closer — median earnings $42,186 against a $89,888 total, vs $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Phoenix-Arizona | Grand Canyon University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,520 | $22,472 |
| Total net cost | $54,080 | $89,888 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,752 | $42,186 |
| Median debt | $31,553 | $22,114 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$266,240 | -$213,368 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Phoenix-Arizona or Grand Canyon University?
University of Phoenix-Arizona, at $13,520 a year after aid versus $22,472 — a gap of $8,952 a year, or $35,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Phoenix-Arizona or Grand Canyon University graduates earn more?
Grand Canyon University graduates report a median $42,186 ten years after entry, $4,434 more than the $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Phoenix-Arizona or Grand Canyon University?
Grand Canyon University: its completers carry a median $22,114 in federal loans versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona, a difference of $9,439. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Grand Canyon University, against 21% at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.