Gannon University
Gannon University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Gannon University at a Glance
Gannon University is a private Catholic university with campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ruskin, Florida, United States. Established in 1925, Gannon University enrolls about 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students annually. Its intercollegiate athletics include 18 athletic programs for men and women competing at the NCAA Division II level. It plans to merge with Ursuline College by the end of 2026.
1925
101 years old
$138M
$138.4 million (2025)
4,189
2,768 undergrad · 1,421 grad
Identity
Is Gannon University Worth It?
Gannon University offers moderate value at $22,553/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,845, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Gannon University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #39 of 200 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #39 | Gannon University | 44 | $22,553 | $58,845 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Gannon University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 21 in PA.
Best Programs at Gannon University
The highest-earning program at Gannon University is Mechanical Engineering at $54,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Gannon University earns $54,700, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,553/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $54,700 | $54,700 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,200 | $54,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,700 | $28,700 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,100 | $22,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Erie, PA
- Student Body
- 2,365 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,553
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,845
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000