Gonzaga vs. Northwest University

Deciding between Gonzaga University and Northwest University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Gonzaga University
Northwest University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Gonzaga Spokane, WA
  • Northwest University Kirkland, WA
  • Setting
  • Gonzaga Midsize City
  • Northwest University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Gonzaga 7,470
  • Northwest University 1,053
  • Type
  • Gonzaga Private 4 Year
  • Northwest University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Gonzaga #180
  • Northwest University #286
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Gonzaga Roman Catholic
  • Northwest University Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • Gonzaga Non-profit
  • Northwest University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Gonzaga
  • Northwest University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Northwest University $36,035
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Northwest University $36,035
  • Room & Board
  • Gonzaga $15,730
  • Northwest University $11,180
  • Average Net Price
  • Gonzaga $40,117
  • Northwest University $24,251
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Gonzaga $33,390
  • Northwest University $26,017
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Gonzaga 100%
  • Northwest University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Gonzaga 8,759
  • Northwest University 625
  • Admitted
  • Gonzaga 7,155
  • Northwest University 520
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Gonzaga 81.7%
  • Northwest University 83.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Gonzaga 17.5%
  • Northwest University 30.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gonzaga 1290
  • Northwest University 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gonzaga 29
  • Northwest University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Gonzaga 3.67
  • Northwest University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Gonzaga A-
  • Northwest University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Gonzaga Very High
  • Northwest University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Gonzaga
  • Northwest University
  • ACT Range
  • Gonzaga 27/31
  • Northwest University
  • SAT Range
  • Gonzaga 1190/1380
  • Northwest University 1040/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Gonzaga Test optional
  • Northwest University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027
  • Northwest University Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Gonzaga 12:1
  • Northwest University 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Gonzaga
    • Business (29%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Northwest University
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (10%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Gonzaga 83%
  • Northwest University 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Gonzaga $61,600
  • Northwest University $41,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Gonzaga 86%
  • Northwest University 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Gonzaga $26,394
  • Northwest University $21,532
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Gonzaga $272
  • Northwest University $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Gonzaga 44%
  • Northwest University 38%
  • % Women
  • Gonzaga 56%
  • Northwest University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Gonzaga Low
  • Northwest University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Gonzaga No
  • Northwest University No
  • % White
  • Gonzaga 72%
  • Northwest University 69%
  • % Asian
  • Gonzaga 5%
  • Northwest University 5%
  • % Black
  • Gonzaga 1%
  • Northwest University 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Gonzaga 10%
  • Northwest University 8%
  • % Native American
  • Gonzaga 1%
  • Northwest University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Gonzaga 0%
  • Northwest University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Gonzaga 6%
  • Northwest University 5%
  • % International
  • Gonzaga 2%
  • Northwest University 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Gonzaga 3%
  • Northwest University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Gonzaga 51%
  • Northwest University 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Gonzaga 48%
  • Northwest University 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Gonzaga Yes
  • Northwest University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Gonzaga No
  • Northwest University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Gonzaga Yes
  • Northwest University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Gonzaga No
  • Northwest University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Gonzaga No
  • Northwest University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA with Northwest University in Kirkland, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gonzaga University is larger than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (7,470 students vs. 1,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, WA (Midsize City setting); Northwest University is in Kirkland, WA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Gonzaga University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gonzaga University 12:1; Northwest University 9:1.

Gonzaga vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gonzaga or Northwest University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than Gonzaga ($24,251 vs. $40,117).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 28.9% lower than at Gonzaga University ($11,180 vs. $15,730).
  • Gonzaga University is 54% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest University (about $19,445 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $36,035.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Gonzaga than at Northwest University (about $19,445 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $36,035.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Gonzaga University as at Northwest University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gonzaga University students is 28.3% larger than aid received by Northwest University students ($33,390 vs. $26,017).

Gonzaga vs. Northwest University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gonzaga or Northwest University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northwest University and Gonzaga.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gonzaga University (1290) is 90 points higher than at Northwest University (1200).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gonzaga University 1190/1380; Northwest University 1040/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gonzaga University 27/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gonzaga - Test optional; Northwest University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027; Northwest University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Gonzaga students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Northwest University (3.41).
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than Gonzaga (81.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at Gonzaga vs. 30.8% at Northwest University.

Gonzaga vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gonzaga and Northwest University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Gonzaga University's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Northwest University's (50%).
  • Graduates from Gonzaga University earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than Northwest University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest University graduates have a $4,862 lower median loan debt than Gonzaga graduates ($21,532 vs. $26,394).
  • Among borrowers, Northwest University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gonzaga graduates ($222 vs. $272).
  • More Gonzaga graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.