Spokane, WA · Private University
Is Gonzaga University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,892
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$53,500
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$53,500
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$214,000
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.48x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,454
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$36,371
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Gonzaga University graduates earn $33,892 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Gonzaga University ranked by graduate earnings
60 graduates
16 graduates
94 graduates
36 graduates
85 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Gonzaga University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Gonzaga University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $96,165) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $28,763) is $67,402/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $96,165 | 1.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,459 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,777 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $79,971 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,368 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $77,846 | 1.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $76,508 | 1.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,346 | 1.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $72,747 | 1.4x |
| Criminology | $69,525 | 1.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,725 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,078 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $53,452 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $52,197 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $47,098 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $45,744 | 0.9x |
| Journalism | $40,701 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $37,799 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $29,859 | 0.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $28,763 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga University | 1.48x | $78,892 | Average ROI |
| Seattle University | 1.39x | $75,272 | Average ROI |
| University of Puget Sound | 1.16x | $69,594 | Average ROI |
| Willamette University | 1.18x | $56,911 | Average ROI |
| Lewis & Clark College | 1.00x | $62,205 | Below Average |
| Pacific Lutheran University | 1.31x | $66,990 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Gonzaga University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $78,892 10 years after starting, $33,892 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.