Gonzaga University

Numerous facts and figures attest to the value of a Gonzaga education: exceptional acceptance rates to prestigious graduate programs, including medical and law schools; one of the highest CPA exam pass rates in the nation; job placement in corporations such as Microsoft, Boeing, Nike, and Amazon; and consistently glowing reviews in national publications such as U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review’s The Best 384 Colleges.

Gonzaga remains committed to educating the whole person and preparing students for a lifetime of reflection and ethical decision-making. GU’s core curriculum hones students’ abilities to evaluate contemporary issues with a critical eye and formulate arguments to articulate their opinions clearly and concisely.

Gonzaga’s core curriculum encourages all students to engage in interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and self-reflection. The core is bookended by first-year and senior seminars and includes courses in philosophy, religious studies, writing, scientific inquiry, the humanities, social justice, global studies, and fine arts. Ultimately, the core challenges students to integrate their studies and actions into a philosophy of living that promotes a lifetime of learning and serving the common good.

A comprehensive university, Gonzaga consists of five undergraduate schools and several graduate programs. Complementing the Collegeof Arts and Sciences are the Schools of Business Administration, Education, Engineering and Applied Science,Nursing and Human Physiology, Leadership Studies, and Law. 

Gonzaga’s 5,304 undergraduates choose from 56 majors and 61 minors to reach their academic dreams. Modern and beautifully updated facilities—such as the Jepson Center for Business Administration, Hughes Hall for Life Sciences, and the PACCAR Center for Applied Science—augment these exceptional academic programs. Gonzaga is ranked first among the West’s regional universities for its strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. An average class size of 24 allows Gonzaga’s dedicated faculty to closely mentor and support students in the classroom.

The Gonzaga experience
Gonzaga requires first-year and sophomore students to live on campus in one of 20 residence halls and apartment buildings. Residence life is the foundation upon which Gonzaga’s strong sense of community is built. Campus life is an exciting and adventurous blend of meeting the challenges brought on by maintaining a rigorous academic schedule while fully embracing the vibrant social atmosphere of spending time with close friends.

The John J. Hemmingson Center houses multiple dining services, the Center for Global Engagement, Unity Multicultural Education Center, Mission & Ministry, Gonzaga Outdoors, the Center for Experiential Leadership, study and recreational lounges, and student club offices. GU offers more than 130 student clubs and organizations in areas such as music, theater, cultural clubs, community service, student government, faith-sharing groups and retreats, Division I athletics, and club and intramural sports. From traveling as part of Gonzaga’s nationally recognized debate and mock trial programs to planning the annual Hawaii Pacific Islander Club’s Luau to serving as a crew member on a SEARCH retreat, students always find they have the opportunity to showcase creativity and leadership outside the classroom.

In the heart of the Inland Northwest
With nearly 722,000 residents, the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area provides numerous business and technical internships as well as outlets for cultural and artistic expression. A scenic 15-minute walk along a section of the 37-mile Centennial Trail ushers students into the vibrant downtown, offering a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment choices.

Students can also explore snow-capped mountains, dozens of lakes, and scenic hiking trails, all within a 50-mile radius of campus. The Inland Northwest is a recreational paradise for skiers, hikers, campers, mountain bikers, golfers, and other outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Rewarding your achievements
Numerous merit-based scholarships are offered without consideration of financial need. Students are automatically considered for these merit scholarships when they apply foradmission. However, some awards—such as Gonzaga’s scholarships for talented musicians, promising leaders, and those for outstanding Catholic high school graduates—require separate qualification and application procedures.

The best and brightest
Every year, Gonzaga welcomes approximately 50 students into its prestigious Honors Program. Honors classes are characterized by extensive reading and writing assignments, stimulating debates and discussions, strong philosophical and historical perspectives, and the use of the Socratic method of learning. Entrance to the Honors Program is highly competitive and involves submitting a creative personal statement.

Other distinctive programs include the Comprehensive Leadership Program and the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, providing students from different educational fields the opportunity to engage in stimulating projects and service inside and outside the classroom. Additional information about these unique programs and many others offered at Gonzaga can be obtained by contacting the Office of Admission.