Gonzaga University is a private Jesuit institution located along the banks of the Spokane River in Spokane, Washington. Founded in 1887 by Father Joseph Cataldo, a Sicilian-born Jesuit missionary, the university is named after the young Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga and is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

The university grants bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through its college and six schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law, School of Nursing and Human Physiology, and the School of Leadership Studies. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and an average class size of just 22 students, Gonzaga provides a personalized and high-quality educational experience rooted in the Ignatian tradition of educating the whole person.

Gonzaga has earned national recognition for academic excellence, ranking No. 102 among National Universities and No. 17 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the U.S. News and World Report 2026 edition. The university was also newly recognized as one of America's Most Innovative National Universities, landing at No. 48 in that category for the first time.

Gonzaga University offers 16 undergraduate degrees through 53 majors, 68 minors, and 73 concentrations, along with 23 master's programs and five doctorate degrees. The university's academic philosophy is based on the Ignatian Jesuit model of educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — preparing students for lives of leadership and service.

As a private institution, Gonzaga University charges the same tuition rate for all students regardless of state residency. The university is committed to making education accessible, with 97% of undergraduates receiving some form of grants or scholarships.

Gonzaga's campus encompasses 152 acres and 105 buildings along the north bank of the Spokane River, just a half-mile from downtown Spokane. The campus blends historic red-brick architecture with modern facilities, creating a welcoming and vibrant residential environment for students.

Foley Center Library

Gonzaga's main undergraduate and graduate library, opened in 1992, providing extensive research resources and study spaces.

Hemmingson Center

The USD 60 million student center serving as the heart of campus life with dining, meeting spaces, and student organization offices.

McCarthey Athletic Center

Home to Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball since 2004, this 6,000-seat arena has sold out every game since opening day.

Gonzaga fosters a tight-knit, mission-driven community where students are deeply engaged in academics, service, and campus activities. The Princeton Review ranks Gonzaga No. 1 nationally for students who love their school teams, and No. 14 for schools where everyone plays intramural sports.

Gonzaga University is consistently recognized among the top national universities in the United States. In the 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings, Gonzaga was listed among the top 24% of the 434 national universities and earned new recognition as one of the Most Innovative National Universities.