Median Earnings (1yr)
$54,540
74th percentile
60th percentile in Washington
Median Debt
$23,250
11% below national median

Analysis

Gonzaga's business program offers a compelling value story for Washington families: graduates start at $54,540—already above the national median—and see strong momentum over their first four years, reaching nearly $73,000. That 33% earnings growth suggests the program opens doors to careers with real advancement potential, not just entry-level positions.

The debt picture reinforces this value. At $23,250, graduates carry less than half their first-year earnings in student loans, a manageable starting point that won't derail other financial goals. While this program sits at the 70th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 30% of business programs leave students with less), it matches the Washington state median exactly. Among the seven Washington schools offering business degrees, Gonzaga lands squarely in the middle for both earnings and debt—performing comparably to Seattle Pacific but without a premium price tag in terms of student loans.

For families weighing in-state options, Gonzaga delivers what matters most: graduates earn well from day one and the trajectory points upward. The 76% admission rate means this opportunity is accessible to strong students without requiring Ivy League credentials. With robust data backing these numbers, parents can feel confident this program provides a solid foundation for business careers in the Pacific Northwest.

Where Gonzaga University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Gonzaga University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Gonzaga University$54,540$72,747+33%
New York University$77,828$115,546+48%
Wake Forest University$76,722$91,708+20%
Seattle Pacific University$56,283$79,563+41%
Walla Walla University$43,155$43,839+2%

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Gonzaga UniversitySpokane$53,500$54,540$72,747$23,2500.43
Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle$38,814$56,283$79,563$22,0000.39
Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place$33,027$43,155$43,839$27,0000.63
National Median$47,506$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Gonzaga University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 293 graduates with reported earnings and 296 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.