Grand Canyon University Regains Non-Profit Status

PHOENIX, AZ – Fourteen years after Grand Canyon University abandoned its non-profit roots to become a for-profit school, it's received permission to switch back. The Higher Learning Commission, which accredits non-profit schools, made the announcement Tuesday.

"HLC took this action after careful deliberation as part of HLC's decision making process to determine what is in the best interests of the students," the commission said in a statement.

The school had switched to for-profit in 2004 and has been trying to go back since at least 2016 when they were forced to halt their efforts when the commission determined the school did not meet the requirements to make the change.

At that point, the school had been trying to have both for-profit and non-profit components.

Two months ago, citing the announcement that Purdue University would be buying Kaplan University, Grand Canyon renewed its efforts.

"We appreciate the Higher Learning Commission's due diligence in thoroughly examining our proposal," said GCU President Brian Mueller.

"This is consistent with GCU’s history and puts us on a level playing field with other traditional universities with regard to tax status and, among other things, the ability to accept philanthropic contributions, pursue research grant opportunities, and participate in NCAA governance."

As part of the approval process, the company that owns Grand Canyon will sell its academic-related assets to a non-profit company that will use the Grand Canyon University brand, while the current owner will provide related services such as human resources and accounting to Grand Canyon and other schools

Grand Canyon has 19,000 students attending its Phoenix campus and 70,000 who take onlines courses.

Photo via Grand Canyon University.