Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's nursing program charges more than most Washington nursing schools while delivering middle-of-the-pack results. Graduates earn $84,466 in their first year—impressive compared to nursing programs nationwide (82nd percentile) but unremarkable within Washington, where the program sits at just the 40th percentile. Students here are paying $27,000 in debt, about $4,000 more than the state median, to access a career they could enter through less expensive Washington schools while earning similar or better salaries.

The value equation becomes harder to justify when you look at Washington alternatives. Community colleges like Bellevue and Olympic produce nurses earning $10,000-13,000 more annually, while private universities like Saint Martin's and Walla Walla also outperform Gonzaga despite serving the same nursing market. The modest 3% earnings growth over four years suggests Gonzaga graduates aren't developing advantages that materialize later in their careers.

For families paying private school prices, this program delivers national competitiveness but underwhelming in-state value. If you're committed to Gonzaga for campus culture or other programs, the nursing degree won't derail your child's career—the debt load is manageable and starting salaries are solid. But if nursing is the primary goal, Washington offers stronger pathways at lower cost.