GCU is a missional, Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit that addresses the world's deep needs by cultivating compassionate Christian community, empowering free and virtuous action and serving others in ways that promote human flourishing. Through academic excellence, the university equips students with knowledge of the Christian worldview, instilling in them a sense of purpose and vocational calling that enables them to be innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors and transformative leaders who change their communities by placing the interests of others before their own.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 16 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Education organizations in Arizona.
- Base
- $1.3M
- Bonus
- $110k
- Other
- $810
- Benefits
- $5k
- Base
- —
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $1M
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $321k
- Bonus
- $466k
- Other
- $3k
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $355k
- Bonus
- $59k
- Other
- $177k
- Benefits
- $690
- Base
- $266k
- Bonus
- $61k
- Other
- $210k
- Benefits
- $8k
- Base
- $207k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $211k
- Benefits
- $3k
- Base
- $213k
- Bonus
- $43k
- Other
- $158k
- Benefits
- $3k
- Base
- $248k
- Bonus
- $61k
- Other
- $37k
- Benefits
- $7k
- Base
- $193k
- Bonus
- $18k
- Other
- $168k
- Benefits
- $4k
- Base
- $190k
- Bonus
- $18k
- Other
- $168k
- Benefits
- $3k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head Basketball Coach Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $1.3M | $110k | $810 | $5k | $1.5M $1.6M |
Former Head Basketball Coach Former Officer/director/trustee Above 90th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | — | — | $1M | — | $1M $1.1M |
President Above 90th percentile | $321k | $466k | $3k | — | $790k $839k |
Provost Officer (Unspecified) | $355k | $59k | $177k | $690 | $766k $814k |
Vice Provost Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $266k | $61k | $210k | $8k | $720k $765k |
Dean of Students Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $207k | — | $211k | $3k | $596k $633k |
Cfo/treasurer Above 90th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | $213k | $43k | $158k | $3k | $592k $629k |
Cao/general Counsel/secretary Secretary (Operational) Above 90th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | $248k | $61k | $37k | $7k | $528k $561k |
Dean, College of Natural Sciences Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $193k | $18k | $168k | $4k | $522k $555k |
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $190k | $18k | $168k | $3k | $519k $552k |
Chairman of the Board (from 08/03/23) Board Chair 10th to 25th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | — | — | — | — | $10k $11k |
Director Board Member 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $10k $11k |
Director Board Member 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $10k $11k |
Director Board Member 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $10k $11k |
Director Board Member 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $10k $11k |
Chairman of the Board (thru 08/03/23) Board Chair 10th to 25th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | — | — | — | — | $8k $8k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Grand Canyon University equaled 0.1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for education organizations is 7%.
Based on 26,320 education organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
Up 6%
from 2022
From $1.4M in 2022 to $1.5M in 2023.
Estimated with Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Highest Compensated Employee pay rose 6% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue rose 11%.
- Former Officer/director/trustee pay held roughly steady from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Executive Officer pay rose 19% from 2022 to 2023.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2022 and 2023.
Revenue and expenses over time
Grand Canyon University reported revenue and expenses across 2 filing years.
What Education executives earn in Arizona
Comparable education organizations in Arizona pay their highest-earning executive a median of $89,948.
These are education sector-wide figures, not this organization's reported pay. Based on 550 organizations across 550 filings (2021 – 2024).
See full Education pay data for Arizona →Common questions about Grand Canyon University
What does the Highest Compensated Employee of Grand Canyon University earn?
In 2023, the Highest Compensated Employee of Grand Canyon University received $1,460,810 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Highest Compensated Employee roles among Education organizations in Arizona: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Highest Compensated Employee pay at Grand Canyon University compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Education organizations in Arizona, the 2023 pay of the Highest Compensated Employee at Grand Canyon University falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Grand Canyon University equaled 0.1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for education organizations is 7%.
What are Grand Canyon University's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Grand Canyon University reported $1.9B in total revenue and $1.8B in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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