Grand Canyon University's Phoenix campus traces to a 1949 founding in Prescott, Arizona, relocating in 1951 when Prescott's job market couldn't sustain growth, with the small Prayer Chapel serving as a continued spiritual refuge since the 1960s, and first-year students required to live on campus through sophomore year in halls including Canyon and Prescott, the latter named for the university's own original home.
Enrollment
25,000
Total Students
Freshman Class
6,250
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 31 - Sep 2, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
60%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Register for New Student and Family Orientation on the GCU Life app based on your specific move-in day. During Welcome Week, new students move onto campus, attend orientation group activities, complete outstanding tasks before classes begin, and are officially "commissioned into the Herd." GCU's residence halls have been highly rated nationally based on student surveys, affordability, and safety. You can book your move-in appointment through the housing portal - if you miss your designated time, contact the Department of Housing Operations directly.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Book your move-in appointment through the housing portal ahead of time, and load your belongings and print your move-in voucher before you leave.
- Check-in location
- Follow the posted traffic signs to find your building, where GCU staff and students will greet you and assign you a parking space nearby.
- Parking
- Your move-in voucher grants access to one parking spot in front of your building - any additional vehicles will be directed elsewhere to unload. At the end of your appointment, move your vehicle to an assigned parking garage to make room for the next student.
- What you'll receive
- A Campus Cruiser (a large moving box on wheels) upon arrival to help you move your things to your room - check in with a team member inside your building once you arrive.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Moving trucks exceeding 20 feet in length will be directed to a designated oversized parking area during move-in; semi-trucks are too large to fit around residence halls and will be turned away.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
Residence halls (12)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Acacia Hall
Suite · Coed
Camelback Hall
Suite · Coed
Canyon Hall
Suite · Coed
Chaparral Hall
Suite · Coed
Show 8 moreShow fewer
Cypress Hall
Suite · Coed
Ironwood Hall
Suite · Coed
Juniper Hall
Suite · Coed
Ocotillo Hall
Suite · Coed
Prescott Hall
Suite · Coed
Saguaro Hall
Suite · Coed
Sedona Hall
Suite · Coed
Willow Hall
Suite · Coed
Apartments (20)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
Agave Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Agua Fria Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Antelope Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Cactus Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Show 16 moreShow fewer
Copper Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Diamondback Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Encanto Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Gila Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Jerome Apartments
Apartment · Coed
North Rim Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Oak Creek Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Palo Verde Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Papago Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Ponderosa Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Roadrunner Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Salt River Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Santa Cruz Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Sonora Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Turquoise Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Verde River Apartments
Apartment · Coed
Housing Links
Who can live where
- Residence halls:
- Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
- Apartments:
- Apartment-style housing, often for sophomores and up. Confirm eligibility with the housing office.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
Welcome Week (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 31 - September 7, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$12,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy1.1 miles
- Target1.4 miles
- Walmart1.6 miles
- Walgreens4.9 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Grand Canyon University.
Share
Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.
Dates last checked September 2026.