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Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington 99258-0001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

Gonzaga University is a private institution in Spokane with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1316, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.1K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

87% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $78,892 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $36,371.

Established
1887
Motto
Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Mascot
Spike the Bulldog
Type
Private liberal arts university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

63 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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76%Acceptance
1316SAT Avg
5,098Students
12:1Student:Faculty
87%Grad Rate
$78,892Earnings 10yr
$36,371Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1316

Reading & WritingMid: 650
620710
MathMid: 645
600700

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2631

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$53,500
Room & Board$15,080
Books & Supplies$1,382
Total Cost of Attendance$69,290
Average Net Price$36,371
Median Debt at Graduation$24,454
Monthly Payment (10yr)$259

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$23,364
$30–48K$22,330
$48–75K$25,096
$75–110K$35,623
$110K+$43,615

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

64.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

38

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (73)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

94%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
5,098
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
13%
Pell Grant Recipients
13%

Race & Ethnicity

White 63%
Black 1%
Hispanic 13%
Asian 7%
Two+ 8%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate86.9%
Freshman Retention93.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$66,525
10 Years$78,892

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#98
vs 2024
Forbes
#153
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#211
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Zags

BasketballBasketball program

History & Fun Facts

  • History Founding Gonzaga University was founded in 1887 by Sicilian-American Joseph Cataldo (1837–1928), who had come in 1865 as a Jesuit missionary to the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.
  • In 1880, Cataldo built a schoolhouse about 10 to 12 mi (16 to 19 km) northeast of Spokane on the Peone Prairie, to serve children of the Upper Spokane Indians.
  • Cataldo was concerned about the influence and expansion of Protestant schools on the region's native people, and by 1881 was discussing building a Jesuit college with other Jesuit leaders.
  • Inaugural class Construction was delayed until 1886, and the school opened in 1887 with Father James Rebmann serving as the first Father Superior and seven boys enrolled.
  • Non-Catholic boys were also rejected, at least in the college's first years.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

124High

Estimated from WA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Seattlepop. 740K
230 mi(399 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
291 mi(504 min)
Salt Lake Citypop. 200K
549 mi(952 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SEA Seattle-Tacoma229 mi
PDX Portland OR285 mi
BOI Boise289 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2259 mi · ~65h 16m drive
New York, NY2173 mi · ~62h 47m drive
Hartford, CT2202 mi · ~63h 37m drive
Providence, RI2258 mi · ~65h 14m drive
Albany, NY2126 mi · ~61h 25m drive
Syracuse, NY2004 mi · ~57h 54m drive
Rochester, NY1933 mi · ~55h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY1882 mi · ~54h 22m drive
Philadelphia, PA2144 mi · ~61h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1903 mi · ~54h 59m drive
Harrisburg, PA2053 mi · ~59h 19m drive
Newark, NJ2164 mi · ~62h 31m drive
Washington, DC2092 mi · ~60h 26m drive
Baltimore, MD2099 mi · ~60h 38m drive
Atlanta, GA1957 mi · ~56h 32m drive
Charlotte, NC2055 mi · ~59h 22m drive
Raleigh, NC2134 mi · ~61h 39m drive
Miami, FL2519 mi · ~72h 46m drive
Orlando, FL2331 mi · ~67h 20m drive
Tampa, FL2313 mi · ~66h 49m drive
Nashville, TN1748 mi · ~50h 30m drive
New Orleans, LA1896 mi · ~54h 46m drive
Richmond, VA2122 mi · ~61h 18m drive
Chicago, IL1504 mi · ~43h 27m drive
Detroit, MI1704 mi · ~49h 14m drive
Minneapolis, MN1162 mi · ~33h 34m drive
St. Louis, MO1497 mi · ~43h 15m drive
Kansas City, MO1283 mi · ~37h 4m drive
Indianapolis, IN1640 mi · ~47h 23m drive
Columbus, OH1779 mi · ~51h 24m drive
Cleveland, OH1791 mi · ~51h 44m drive
Milwaukee, WI1458 mi · ~42h 7m drive
Dallas, TX1488 mi · ~42h 59m drive
Houston, TX1703 mi · ~49h 12m drive
Austin, TX1591 mi · ~45h 58m drive
San Antonio, TX1613 mi · ~46h 36m drive
Los Angeles, CA942 mi · ~27h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA729 mi · ~21h 4m drive
San Diego, CA1033 mi · ~29h 51m drive
Seattle, WA230 mi · ~6h 39m drive
Portland, OR291 mi · ~8h 24m drive
Denver, CO825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Phoenix, AZ1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Salt Lake City, UT549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Honolulu, HI2885 mi · ~83h 21m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Deadline Calendar

Gonzaga University Application Checklist

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