Gonzaga University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Spokane, Washington. It enrolls 5,198 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
67/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes93
Value30
Affordability8
Selectivity62
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 81.7%, Gonzaga University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
81.7%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1190 – 1380
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
27 – 31
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Gonzaga University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
14.3 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Gonzaga University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $35,119 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$35,119
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
14%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
36%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$55,480
Room & Board (on-campus)
$15,730
Room & Board (off-campus)
$17,105
Books & Supplies
$1,124
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,359
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,359
Total Cost of Attendance
$73,178
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$20,833
$30,001 – $48,000
$23,112
$48,001 – $75,000
$25,106
$75,001 – $110,000
$33,949
Over $110,000
$42,668
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$12,00025%percentile
$24,454Medianpercentile
$29,00075%percentile
$37,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $24,120
↓ $334
No Pell $19,500
↓ $4,954
Dependent students $20,500
↓ $3,954
Independent students $23,000
↓ $1,454
Female students $21,000
↓ $3,454
Male students $20,292
↓ $4,162
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($24,454), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
81% of full-time students who enrolled at Gonzaga University graduate within six years, and 93% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
81%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
93%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Gonzaga University earn a median of $78,892 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$78,892
Earning > $25K
90%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$55,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$73,400
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$58,900
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$60,900
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$66,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $17,800, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
8.0 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Gonzaga University is home to 5,198 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
5,198
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
13%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 62.2%3,233
Hispanic 14.5%753
Other 9.0%469
Asian 6.6%343
International 5.0%258
Black 1.3%67
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Gonzaga University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CitySpokane, Washington
Housing
Mostly residential2,990 beds on campus
Adult Learners
2%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Gonzaga University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
61 distinct programs across
21 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Gonzaga University is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$744M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$95,756
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
452 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
141
31%
$129,888
Associate Professors
129
29%
$89,427
Assistant Professors
143
32%
$76,549
Instructors
1
0%
$61,108
Lecturers
38
8%
$63,781
Pros & Cons of Gonzaga University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Gonzaga University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Gonzaga University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gonzaga University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Gonzaga University.
Is Gonzaga University hard to get into?
Gonzaga University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 81.7%.
What is the acceptance rate at Gonzaga University?
Gonzaga University has an acceptance rate of 81.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Gonzaga University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Gonzaga University scored between 1190 and 1380 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Gonzaga University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Gonzaga University scored between 27 and 31 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Gonzaga University cost?
The average net price after aid at Gonzaga University is $35,119 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Gonzaga University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $78,892 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $35,119 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Gonzaga University known for?
Gonzaga University is best known for its programs in Business, Business Administration, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Gonzaga University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Gonzaga University are $78,892, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Gonzaga University accredited?
Yes. Gonzaga University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many students attend Gonzaga University?
Gonzaga University enrolls 5,198 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Gonzaga University?
Gonzaga University graduates 81% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Gonzaga University a public or private college?
Gonzaga University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Gonzaga University located?
Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington.
What programs does Gonzaga University offer?
Gonzaga University offers 61 distinct programs. The most popular include Business, Business Administration, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Gonzaga University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Gonzaga University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Washington
Other colleges in Washington share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Nursing
Teaching Specific Subjects
Business Administration
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