Discovering Campus Life at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University (GCU), a missional, Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit, offers a vibrant campus life that fosters a compassionate Christian community. GCU empowers free and virtuous action and serves others in ways that promote human flourishing. For more than 75 years, GCU's Phoenix campus has been an academic destination for countless scholars and industry leaders. GCU provides a full college experience where students can become immersed in the campus culture. Campus, online, and evening students are equally valued members of the community and have access to GCU events, academic support, and learning resources.

A Thriving Christian Community

GCU cultivates a unique atmosphere. There's an exuberance, an unfathomable joy, an open-the-door-for-your-neighbors friendliness, a cannot-be-contained spark. The university's commitment to its Christian beliefs is evident throughout campus life, contributing to a supportive and uplifting environment. Faith is always central at GCU. This magic happens because GCU is a dry campus, in line with its Christian beliefs.

You see it at Chapel, when 5,000 to 6,000 students voluntarily attend worship service every Monday. Or when 1,000 students pitch 200 tents on The Quad for Camp Elliott. They dedicate themselves to two, three or four days of living in tents and bonding time in front of GCU Arena to be the first in the door at Midnight Madness, despite perfectly good residence hall rooms to be had.

Academics and Program Offerings

GCU offers a wide array of academic programs to suit diverse interests and career aspirations. As of December 2025, the university provides 380 academic programs, including 148 traditional programs and 314 online programs. With 370 programs (as of September 2025) to choose from within 10 different colleges, GCU strives to teach the skills you need to achieve your goals, grow in your field and pursue your purpose. GCU offers many degree options through 10 different colleges, including the Ingram Honors College.

Student Clubs and Organizations

All GCU students can participate in 125 clubs and organizations, as of the 2024-25 academic year. These groups provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, explore passions, and develop leadership skills. GCU’s student clubs and activities range from motorsports to board games to poetry and skiing. We offer over 120 different clubs and organizations, as of the 2024-25 academic year, to help make your college experience memorable.

Local and Global Outreach

Students can volunteer to support those in need by providing various resources and services and participating in projects and mission trips. Part of GCU’s mission is to prepare students to become global citizens. To uphold this mission, we welcome and encourage diverse cultures and perspectives in all our classrooms.

Annual Events and Traditions

Every year, GCU offers exciting events for our students to show off their Lope pride and discover why these annual traditions are an important part of our campus culture. Students can prepare for the school year ahead, share their favorite parts of GCU with their family and friends, attend one of the most electric competitions of the year and demonstrate their college pride by attending annual events. GCU hosts their annual "Lope-A-Palooza" rally in the GCU Arena.

GCU Athletics and Club Sports

GCU had 20 NCAA Division I athletics teams during the 2025-26 academic year. The university's mission is to develop good Christian role models who embody the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of their lives. In addition to Division I teams, GCU offers other athletics programs, including intramural sports, as well as dance and cheer. Club sports are not regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and do not have varsity status at the intercollegiate athletic level. However, club sports are organized and administered by their respective national sport governing body.

GCU proudly offers over 41 club sports teams for men and women, including ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, tennis, soccer, golf and more. Club sports teams offer a competitive alternative to Division I athletics teams while still competing at the national level. The GCU Havocs are the epitome of school pride - attending all athletic events while creating an energetic, positive, spirited environment for sports fans, students and players. This extraordinary lively student section comes together to heighten the already exciting experience of attending GCU sporting events. That kind of bold leadership is evident in the nationally renowned Havocs, perhaps the rowdiest student section in all of college athletics, with zany students sporting purple attire, wacky costumes, painted faces and relentless positive support of the campus’ athletic teams. “When you get into that arena, all of a sudden you’re part of the Havocs and it’s OK to act crazy and wild.

GCU offers sports facilities for students, athletes and visitors. Global Credit Union Arena, a 7,000-seat, nearly 135,000-square-foot sports and entertainment venue, is used to host numerous events for students and the community. GCU’s stadium is a modern 41,852-square-foot natural turf soccer stadium with the capacity for 6,000 fans, while also accommodating the GCU Student-Athlete Academic Center. Since 2008, Thunder has been GCU’s official mascot. This friendly antelope contributes to all the excitement that takes place at GCU. You’ll be sure to see him around at athletic competitions and other events on and off campus.

Read also: The history of Colorado Mesa

Campus Housing and Amenities

Living on campus at GCU offers students more than just a place to stay - it provides an immersive college experience. GCU is ranked as having top-rated college dorms and food in Arizona. Niche.com currently rates GCU’s housing No. 1 best college dorms in Arizona, #1 best college food in Arizona, #20 best college food in America and the #20 best college campus in America for 2026. Campus living at GCU is designed to maximize the educational journey with a welcoming environment. GCU student housing gives you the benefit of living with peers going through the same experiences.

Living on campus can be the ultimate convenience. Get the most out of your college experience by living in one of our suite-style residence halls or apartments designated specifically for new and returning students. GCU residence halls are consistently ranked among the nation’s best. Niche.com currently rates GCU’s housing. The campus offers 32 housing options with amenities like pools, laundry facilities, fitness centers and common areas. In addition, all the living areas are within walking distance to campus restaurants, coffee shops, sporting events, concerts, plays and more.

At GCU, there are two types of campus housing: residence halls and apartments. Residence halls accommodate groups of either four or six students split between two bedrooms. Many bedrooms have their own bathroom, and the two bedrooms share a common living area. The rooms come furnished with a bed, desk, dresser and closet. The living room is also furnished with a couch and table. Apartments provide space for either three or four students, and most arrangements provide individual bedrooms with desks and closets. Apartments also come with a kitchen, refrigerator, sink, stove, oven and microwave. Four-person apartments come with two bathrooms, as well. Each on-campus apartment is furnished with a Twin XL bed and a desk, it also has a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor recreation area for student activities. Our fully furnished residence halls give you all the comforts of home in a safe environment. Each residence hall includes a floor plan of either double occupancy (two students per room) or triple occupancy (three students per room). Features include a laundry facility on each floor, breakout rooms for studying and spacious living room areas.

When you live in GCU’s campus housing, you have access to heated pools, numerous on-campus restaurants and convenient proximity to amenities like GCU Arena, the 18-hole GCU Golf Course and the Canyon Activities Complex.

Food and Dining

There are 35 on-campus dining options, along with multiple convenience stores for you to choose from - whether a restaurant experience with friends or grabbing something quick between classes. Students have 32 on-campus options, from Subway to Habit Burger to Panera Bread to Chick-fil-A, to name a few. Those dining spaces also played a part in building community, Griffin said. “As it turned out, it has been a positive contribution for students to get together in small venues, with small groups of friends and new friends, to eat together, to talk.

Read also: Financial Aid at GCU

Campus Recreation

The Department of Campus Recreation offers many ways to help you stay active, have fun and meet other Lopes on campus. Get involved with an intramural sports team, student fitness center classes, or the GCU Outdoor Recreation group. There’s never a dull moment at GCU! From academic clubs and student organizations to Division I athletic teams and intramural sports, students are always out and about participating in activities.

Spiritual Life

The Department of Spiritual Life helps foster a Christian community on campus, like weekly Chapel services, Bible studies, mission trips and more, by bringing students together. Learn more about spiritual life on campus and our Christian worldview. Beyond social connections, GCU offers a vibrant spiritual life community where students can grow in faith together. Chapel services, Life Groups and student-led worship nights can provide meaningful opportunities to explore and strengthen your faith. Mission trips, local outreach programs and discipleship groups can help students put their faith into action while serving others. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, GCU provides a supportive environment to grow both personally and spiritually.

Visiting GCU

Prospective students and families are invited to visit GCU and discover all that the university has to offer. Discover GCU can give you an opportunity to personally experience what it means to be a student at GCU. During this overnight experience, you can explore campus, meet current students, participate in events and learn more about programs of study.

Discover GCU is now better than ever! This all-expenses-paid, overnight campus visit to sunny Arizona offers you the opportunity to:

Learn details about your program of study
Observe and connect with the GCU community
Participate in hands-on academic activities
Eat at popular campus dining spots
See our sunny campus and resort-style living

You will experience student life right on campus during a Discover GCU tour. Check out facilities and classroom buildings, gain perspective from a current GCU student tour guide, gain valuable information and be a part of the vibrant GCU community. Afterward, you can reflect on your experience with your parent, guardian or university counselor to decide whether GCU is the right fit for you. You must be accepted to GCU to be eligible to attend this overnight, all-expenses-paid, on-campus experience.

To help you get the most out of your college experience at GCU, departments and offices on campus offer services, events and resources that can enhance your academic pursuits and help you experience Lope life. The Office of Student Affairs can enhance your college experience as part of the campus community, while Student Success offers programs that can enrich your academic experience.

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