Department of Education Rescinds $37.7M Fine Against Grand Canyon University, Case Closed Permanently

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Department of Education has formally revoked a $37.7 million fine issued to Grand Canyon University (GCU), bringing an end to a months-long legal battle over alleged misleading pricing practices related to the university’s doctoral programs. The case has been closed with prejudice, barring any future legal action on the matter.

The penalty, announced in October 2023, had been the largest ever levied against a university by the department. At the time, federal regulators claimed GCU had misled students by understating the cost and time commitment required for doctoral programs, noting that over 98% of students were required to take more continuation courses than initially advertised.

GCU strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that such continuation courses are a standard and clearly communicated part of the doctoral process. The university appealed the decision, and following a detailed review by the Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Education Department concluded there was no misconduct.

GCU President Brian Mueller welcomed the decision, stating it confirmed the university’s commitment to transparency and academic integrity. He criticized the original allegations as politically motivated, suggesting GCU was targeted because of its Christian values and rapid growth as a nonprofit institution.

The reversal drew broader political attention as well. In a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation, Education Department spokesman Ellen Keast contrasted the Biden administration’s actions with the Trump administration’s approach, which she said focused on fair enforcement free from religious bias. “Unlike the previous Administration, we will not persecute and prosecute colleges and universities based on their religious affiliation,” she said.

The ruling closes the case permanently, clearing GCU of all charges and reinforcing debates over how federal oversight intersects with the evolving landscape of higher education.

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