A Christian college is seeing a massive increase in enrollment following changes to its educational structure that has made college affordable for people of all financial backgrounds.
Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, sent President Brian Mueller to speak to Fox News about how the school created a “new model for higher education” and the benefits the institution is now reaping. Mueller explained that by emphasizing factors related to the economy, the school had seen record growth in its enrollment:
“When families hear that there’s an affordable private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, it’s very attractive to come and visit. Core competency, we think, is to understand where the economy is going, where the jobs are going to be, how people can build great careers and how they can do it without taking on large amounts of debt.”
According to a university statistic, Grand Canyon grew its enrollment from 7,602 in 2012 to 25,350 in 2022. This is tremendous growth for the private Christian university which also saw a massive increase in online registration during that period. The school’s website advertises its Christian values by saying:
Rooted in the Christian Faith and Biblical values, GCU is built on a foundation of ethics, missional work and integrating the Christian worldview in all areas of academics and the campus. GCU is committed to enriching the lives of students by providing them opportunities for spiritual growth through study groups and outreach programs across the community and the world.
Mueller continued to drive home the talking point that financial factors are bringing students to Grand Canyon. He also says that the school is beginning to flip higher education on its head by opening to door to students who may not have been given a chance if not for the Christian University:
“We haven’t raised tuition for ten years. And the average student graduates with less debt than the average state university student.”
“We thought in the past small and elite won the day in higher ed. The future is going to be very large, very scalable [and] very flexible being able to educate people across the lifespan.”
This news comes just months after a massive Christian revival swept across college campuses to schools like Baylor University, which underwent 72 straight hours of prayer. Baylor released a statement detailing that event:
Baylor University’s Office of Spiritual Life, in collaboration with campus ministries and Waco churches, will again host FM72, a gathering of college students March 27-30 on Fountain Mall in the heart of the Baylor campus for 72 hours of continuous prayer, asking God for revival and renewal.
In addition, each night at 8 p.m., students will gather at McLane Stadium for worship, prayer and hearing from God’s Word. The worship services will be streamed live on the FM72 website.
“The goal of FM72 is to stir a passion for Jesus Christ in the Baylor community,” said Charles Ramsey, Ph.D., director of Baptist Student Ministries at Baylor. “It is a time to take inventory of one’s own journey, to linger in prayer, to recalibrate towards what is most important: our shared faith in Jesus Christ.”
The mission of FM72 is that each attendee experiences a clear and compelling call to know Jesus and find a spiritual community where they can grow.
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