Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Gonzaga University at a Glance
Gonzaga University (GU) is a private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, United States. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Founded in 1887 by Joseph Cataldo, a Sicilian-born priest and Jesuit missionary, the university is named after the young Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The campus houses 105 buildings on 152 acres of grassland alongside the Spokane River, in a residential setting a half-mile (800 m) from downtown Spokane.
1887
139 years old
$499M
$498.8 million (2025)
7,470
5,293 undergrad · 2,177 grad
445
152 acres
Identity
Is Gonzaga University Worth It?
Gonzaga University offers moderate value at $35,119/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $78,892, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 87% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
How Gonzaga University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 31 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 Portland | 59 | $28,210 | $82,804 |
| #2 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #3 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | 58 | $29,689 | $86,881 |
| #4 | Clarkson University | 55 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #12 | Gonzaga University | 49 | $35,119 | $78,892 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Gonzaga University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in WA.
Best Programs at Gonzaga University
The highest-earning program at Gonzaga University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Journalism at $20,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Gonzaga University earns $69,100, while a Journalism graduate earns $20,700. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $24,645 for Journalism.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $35,119/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,100 | $69,100 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,200 | $67,200 | $26,000 |
| Computer Science | $62,500 | $62,500 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,100 | $60,100 | $26,953 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $57,400 | $57,400 | $26,976 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,100 | $56,100 | $26,467 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $47,000 | $47,000 | $24,500 |
| Mathematics | $45,000 | $45,000 | $22,703 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,400 | $44,400 | $24,912 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,100 | $43,100 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $38,100 | $38,100 | $20,500 |
| Education, Other | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $22,975 |
| Sociology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $19,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,200 | $30,200 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $25,500 | $25,500 | $20,033 |
| History | $24,700 | $24,700 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $25,947 |
| Journalism | $20,700 | $20,700 | $24,645 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Spokane, WA
- Student Body
- 5,198 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $35,119
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $78,892
- Median Student Debt
- $24,454