Grand Canyon University faces record fine after federal probe into alleged deception

[Mosby]

PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University is being fined $37.7 million by the federal government amid accusations that it misled students about the cost of its graduate programs.

The country's largest Christian university, which has more than 100,000 students mostly in online programs, faces the largest fine of its kind ever dealt by the U.S. Education Department. The university previously denied any wrongdoing and says it’s being unfairly targeted in retaliation for an ongoing lawsuit.

An Education Department investigation found that Grand Canyon lied to more than 7,500 current and former students about the cost of doctoral programs.

As far back as 2017, the university said its doctoral programs would cost between $40,000 and $49,000. The department found that less than 2% of graduates completed programs within the range, with 78% paying an additional $10,000 to $12,000.

https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/grand-canyon-university-faces-record-fine-after-federal-probe-into-alleged-deception

[Stardust Mirror]

1. I guess the country's largest Christian university doesn't teach the Ten Commandments

maybe they're too busy with the moneychangers

[Tansy_Gold]

2. 30 years ago, they were a nice little school

Private, christian, pricey, but not scammy. Then they decided to go for the big bucks and it was a bad decision. Oh, wait, it almost always is, isn't it? when education is turned into a for-profit enterprise.

I knew several of their graduates back in the late 90s, and they got a decent education. I'm not sure I could say the same for anyone completing a course of study, undergrad or graduate, there today. Sad.

[Bristlecone]

4. They were a 2 year program then though, right?

My then girlfriend played on their soccer team, then moved onto another school. One of my teammates from HS baseball did the same thing.

I remember it being nice-ish when I would go there. The area around it was iffy then it seemed.

[Tansy_Gold]

5. No, they had a full four-year program

And eventually had graduate programs, too. There may have been two-year programs as well, but as far back as when I had friends going there -- early to mid 1990s -- it was a four-year degree granting college.

[Bristlecone]

6. I don't remember that, but I don't remember yesterday all that well, let alone the early 90s

It was definitely Grand Canyon College then though, not university. I remember that much…..I think. .

[maspaha]

3. GCU is AWFUL!!!

They recruited hard at my daughter’s small high school. Not for the best students or athletes, just for the ca$h; student loan ca$h; that can’t be discharged in bankruptcy ca$h.

My kid was an athlete (soccer) and we began the college search sophomore year of high school so that we were prepared when the NCAA window opened for coaches to recruit.

GCU was never on her list of schools, but they called me every three days, like clockwork, to sign her up for classes and get her into the dorms. My kid never sent them SAT/ACT scores, never met with admissions or a coach, but they acted like she’d made the decision to attend GCU and I was the roadblock. In reality, she’d already signed a letter of intent to play soccer at a very selective liberal arts college in the midwest. The kind of college that gets you accepted to Georgetown law school after graduation.

GCU is owned by a for profit corporation trying to pass itself off as a non-profit educational institution.

Christian my @$$…oh, but, they do require the instructor to open every class with a prayer…amen