At $36,371/yr net price, Gonzaga University graduates earn $78,892/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $44,892/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,371 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $145,484 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,892/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,892/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 86.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,454 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,364/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,330/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,096/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,623/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,615/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $187,234 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $105,418 | $54,023 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $82,685 | $34,912 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $71,930 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,447 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $67,324 | $32,188 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,741 | $25,886 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,260 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,859 | $23,000 |
The Risk Factor
86.9% of students at Gonzaga University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Gonzaga's numbers work. A $78,892 median salary ten years out against $24,454 in median debt puts you in solid financial shape, and an 86.9% graduation rate with 93.9% retention means you're very likely to finish and finish on time. That matters at a $36,371 sticker price, because the biggest financial risk at any private school is paying tuition without earning the degree. Gonzaga mostly avoids that trap.
The strongest bets are engineering and nursing. Electrical engineering, computer science, and nursing all clear the high $60,000s to low $70,000s within a decade, and they carry debt loads in line with the campus median. Nursing pays the most at graduation but comes with $27,000 in debt, slightly above average. Civil and mechanical engineering land a bit lower and cost a bit less to finance, so the return holds up. If you're heading into a STEM or health field here, the math favors you.
The catch is the income slope on net price. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $22,000 to $23,000 a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000, it climbs to roughly $25,000. Above $110,000, you're paying $43,615 with little discount. Middle-income families in the $75,000 to $110,000 band feel the sharpest jump, paying about $35,600.
Gonzaga fits you well if you're pursuing engineering, computer science, or nursing, or if you qualify for aid in the lower income tiers. If your family earns over $110,000 and you're aiming at a lower-paying major not listed here, the full price is harder to justify. No salary data is published for Gonzaga's liberal arts programs, so you're taking those on faith financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gonzaga University worth the high tuition cost?
Gonzaga's $36,371 annual net price is steep for median earnings of $78,892 ten years after graduation. The ROI depends heavily on your major, with teacher education programs showing strong returns at $187,234 but many other fields underperforming relative to cost.
What are the best paying majors at Gonzaga University?
Teacher education leads with median earnings of $187,234, followed by nursing at $105,418. Business and engineering majors earn significantly less at $69,338-$82,685, making the high tuition harder to justify for those programs.
How much debt do Gonzaga University students typically graduate with?
Gonzaga graduates carry a median debt of $24,454, which is manageable compared to the school's high sticker price. However, this figure reflects only federal loans and doesn't include private loans or parent borrowing.
Does Gonzaga University provide good financial aid to offset costs?
With a net price of $36,371 after aid, Gonzaga's financial assistance helps but still leaves families paying more than most state schools. The 86.9% graduation rate suggests students can complete degrees, but the cost remains high for middle-income families.