PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University (GCU) announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Education has rescinded a proposed $37.7 million fine and cleared the university of any wrongdoing related to allegations it misled graduate students about program costs.
Originally announced on Oct. 31, 2023, the fine accused GCU of providing deceptive information regarding the total cost of doctoral programs. But in newly obtained Education Department documents, the agency now states, “There are no findings against GCU, or any of its employees … and no fine is imposed.”
GCU President Brian Mueller, who had pushed back against the original accusations, welcomed the reversal.
“The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our doctoral students and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit,” Mueller said in a statement. “GCU is a leader in innovation, transparency and best practices in higher education.”
Mueller also said the university looks forward to future cooperation with the Department of Education and other regulatory agencies.
Although the Department of Education has dropped the case, a separate lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against GCU is still pending, the university noted.
