Grand Canyon University Ordered to Pay Record $37.7 Million Fine for Alleged Deception

Phoenix, Arizona United States of America
Grand Canyon University has been ordered to pay a record fine of $37.7 million by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Department of Education found that GCU had misled students about the cost of attendance, the nature of its educational programs, and the transferability of credits.
The fine is the result of a federal investigation into allegations of deceptive practices by the university.

Grand Canyon University (GCU), a private Christian university based in Phoenix, Arizona, has been ordered to pay a record fine of $37.7 million by the U.S. Department of Education. The fine is the result of a federal investigation into allegations of deceptive practices by the university. The probe was initiated after complaints were received about the university's financial aid practices. The Department of Education found that GCU had misled students about the cost of attendance, the nature of its educational programs, and the transferability of credits. The university has been accused of providing false information to students and potential students, which led them to take on loans they might not have otherwise considered. The fine is the largest ever imposed by the Department of Education. GCU has stated that it disagrees with the findings and plans to appeal the decision.


Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • The university has stated that it disagrees with the findings and plans to appeal the decision. The outcome of this appeal could potentially change the narrative.

Sources

88%

  • Unique Points
    • The fine is the largest ever levied by the Education Department
    • The university was found to have misled students about the cost of their education and their potential earnings after graduation
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (90%)
    • The article seems to favor the perspective of the Education Department, providing more details about their findings and less about the university's response
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (80%)
      • The Wall Street Journal is owned by News Corp, a company with known conservative political leanings. This could potentially influence the way they report on education-related issues.
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
        • The author, Michelle Hackman, has previously worked for conservative news outlets, which could potentially influence her reporting on education-related issues.

        90%

        • Unique Points
          • The university is accused of misleading students about the transferability of credits
          • The university is also accused of misleading students about the accreditation status of certain programs
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (85%)
          • The article seems to favor the perspective of the students, providing more details about their experiences and less about the university's response
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
            • ABC15 is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, which has been known to donate to both Democratic and Republican political parties. This could potentially influence their reporting.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              • The author, Mark Phillips, does not appear to have any known conflicts of interest related to this topic.

              92%

              • Unique Points
                • The university is accused of misleading students about the cost of their education
                • The university is also accused of misleading students about the job prospects after graduation
              • Accuracy
                No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (90%)
                • The article seems to favor the perspective of the Education Department, providing more details about their findings and less about the university's response
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (85%)
                  • USA Today is owned by Gannett, a company that has been known to donate to both Democratic and Republican political parties. This could potentially influence their reporting.
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    • The author, Chris Quintana, does not appear to have any known conflicts of interest related to this topic.