Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (GCE) is an American for-profit corporation that provides services to universities, specializing in program development, online education, and operational support.

After the acquisition, the former board of trustees served Clifford in an advisory role.

It was alleged that GCU attempted to switch from for-profit status to non-profit status via its relationship with GCE to reduce the burden of its yearly $9.2 million property tax bill.

The government specifically stated that GCU is a captive client of Grand Canyon Education, and the college is operating for the benefit of shareholders of a for-profit company.

[10] Grand Canyon Education has also been accused of securities-law fraud due to its relation to GCU.