About Gannon University
Gannon University builds health professionals, engineers, and business leaders through hands-on Catholic education. The university enrolls 2,467 students in Erie, a small Pennsylvania city on Lake Erie's shores. Gannon's health sciences programs feed directly into local hospitals and medical facilities. The engineering school emphasizes practical experience through co-ops and internships. Students work closely with professors in a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.
Most students pay far less than the $37,951 sticker price. The average net cost drops to $23,206 after aid, with lower-income families paying around $16,808. Graduates earn a median of $58,845 ten years after graduation. Students typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286. The numbers work out to a solid return on investment for most majors.
Nearly 98% of graduates find employment after finishing their degrees. The Golden Knights compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports, with 679 student-athletes receiving $5.9 million in athletic scholarships. About 65% of students come from Pennsylvania, creating a tight-knit community feel. Three-quarters of freshmen return for sophomore year, suggesting students find their fit at this 1,522-bed campus.
Most students pay far less than the $37,951 sticker price. The average net cost drops to $23,206 after aid, with lower-income families paying around $16,808. Graduates earn a median of $58,845 ten years after graduation. Students typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286. The numbers work out to a solid return on investment for most majors.
Nearly 98% of graduates find employment after finishing their degrees. The Golden Knights compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports, with 679 student-athletes receiving $5.9 million in athletic scholarships. About 65% of students come from Pennsylvania, creating a tight-knit community feel. Three-quarters of freshmen return for sophomore year, suggesting students find their fit at this 1,522-bed campus.
Academics & Faculty
Gannon University built its reputation around health sciences, engineering, and business programs that prepare students for immediate career entry. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship in hands-on programs like nursing, physical therapy, and mechanical engineering. Students get significant personal attention from professors who often work in their fields. The 69.6% four-year graduation rate reflects the university's focus on practical, professionally-oriented degrees rather than theoretical study. Gannon's engineering program particularly stands out in northwestern Pennsylvania, while the health sciences division benefits from clinical partnerships with local hospitals. The Catholic mission emphasizes service learning, meaning students often complete community projects as part of their coursework. Most programs include internship requirements that lead directly to job offers.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 69.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 69.5%
- Retention Rate
- 76.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,845
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral/Professional University
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $164,940 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $92,885 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $67,660 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $63,799 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,673 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $54,760 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,154 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $49,683 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $49,392 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $43,798 |
Campus Life
Gannon's compact urban campus sits just blocks from Lake Erie in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. With housing capacity for 1,522 students and total enrollment of 2,467, about 60% of students live on campus in residence halls that overlook the lake or blend into the city streetscape. Winter coats are essential as Lake Erie creates heavy snow and bitter winds from November through March.
The Golden Knights compete in 22 varsity sports with 679 total athletes, creating a strong athletic presence on weekends. Students often gather at campus events or venture downtown to Erie's restaurants and entertainment district. The lake provides recreation opportunities when weather permits, though many students migrate indoors during the harsh winter months. With 57.52% women and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the campus feels intimate and connected. Weekend social life centers around residence hall activities, athletic events, and the downtown area. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture through service opportunities and spiritual life programs, though the 80.85% acceptance rate brings together students from diverse backgrounds.
The Golden Knights compete in 22 varsity sports with 679 total athletes, creating a strong athletic presence on weekends. Students often gather at campus events or venture downtown to Erie's restaurants and entertainment district. The lake provides recreation opportunities when weather permits, though many students migrate indoors during the harsh winter months. With 57.52% women and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the campus feels intimate and connected. Weekend social life centers around residence hall activities, athletic events, and the downtown area. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture through service opportunities and spiritual life programs, though the 80.85% acceptance rate brings together students from diverse backgrounds.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 1,522 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1925
Campus Safety (2023)
21 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Domestic Violence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–35°F
- July Avg
- 64°–81°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 43.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 104.3"
Student Demographics
Gannon draws students who value practical, career-focused education within a Catholic framework. With 65% coming from Pennsylvania, the university has built a strong regional reputation that keeps local students close to home. The 58% female majority reflects Gannon's emphasis on health sciences programs like nursing and physical therapy, fields that traditionally attract more women. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families seeking upward mobility through professional degrees. The Golden Knights community blends faith-based values with hands-on learning in engineering, business, and healthcare.
- Men
- 42.5%
- Women
- 57.5%
- White
- 65.4%
- Black
- 5.8%
- Hispanic
- 5.4%
- Asian
- 2.6%
- In-State Students
- 64.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 22.0%
Location
Gannon University sits in Erie, Pennsylvania, about 130 miles north of Pittsburgh along Lake Erie's southern shore. The city of 94,000 provides an affordable college town atmosphere with access to beaches, boating, and year-round outdoor activities. Erie's location near the Great Lakes creates distinct seasons and lake-effect snow that can reach impressive totals. The university's 13:1 student-faculty ratio benefits from this mid-sized city setting that offers internships without big-city competition. Downtown Erie features restaurants, entertainment, and cultural venues within walking distance of campus. Over 64% of Gannon's students come from Pennsylvania, drawn to this lakeside location. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Gannon University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,845
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $64,348
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $43,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 66.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Gannon University?
Gannon University admits about 81% of applicants, making it fairly accessible to students. The Catholic university draws from a strong regional applicant pool, with about 65% of students coming from Pennsylvania.
How much does Gannon University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $23,206 after aid, less than the $54,771 sticker price. About 26% of students receive institutional grants averaging $26,172, helping make this private Catholic education more affordable.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Gannon University?
Classes maintain a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, supporting the university's focus on personal attention. Gannon is particularly known for its health sciences and engineering programs, where hands-on learning benefits from smaller class sizes.
What are the graduation rates at Gannon University?
About 70% of students graduate within six years, with a 76% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year. The university's Catholic mission emphasizes student support and community, though outcomes vary across its different professional programs.
Where is Gannon University located?
The campus sits in Erie, Pennsylvania, a small city on the shores of Lake Erie. With housing capacity for 1,522 students, about 62% of the 2,467 total enrollment can live on campus in this lakefront college town.
Does Gannon University offer athletic scholarships?
The Golden Knights compete in NCAA Division II and distribute over $5.9 million in athletic scholarships across 22 varsity sports. With 679 total athletes, Gannon fields competitive teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference while maintaining its academic focus.
