Holy Names University vs Gonzaga
Holy Names University and Gonzaga University, both located in the Pacific Northwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Holy Names, a private Catholic university in Oakland, California, boasts a small, close-knit community with an acceptance rate of 85% and a focus on liberal arts and nursing. Gonzaga, a private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, has a larger student body and a more diverse range of academic programs, with an acceptance rate of 65% and popular majors in business, engineering, and nursing. While both universities offer a strong sense of community and personalized attention, Holy Names' smaller size may appeal to students seeking a more intimate learning environment, while Gonzaga's wider range of programs and larger student body may suit those desiring a more vibrant campus life. Explore the comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two institutions and find the best fit for your academic and personal goals.
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![]() Gonzaga University |
![]() Holy Names University |
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Overview |
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Location | Spokane, Washington | Oakland, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 62.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 76.2% | 95.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
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SAT range | 1210 - 1380 | N/A |
ACT range | 27 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 18.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,853 | 703 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,742 | 670 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,311 | 98 |
Yield rate | 19.4% | 14.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $64,356 | $64,043 |
Average net price | $35,529 | $21,515 |
Tuition | $47,560 | $40,368 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,922
Meal plan:
$6,520
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Room/dormitory:
$7,226
Meal plan:
$6,768
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,861 |
100.0%
Average amount $33,511 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,092 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,485 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $8,834 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,986
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
596
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
Graduate students |
2,395
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
419
Men 25.5% Women 74.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 58.4% | N/A |
International students | 2.8% | 3.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,010 | 440 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Washington California Oregon Colorado Arizona | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.1% | 58.0% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 21.9% |
Transferred out | 9.6% | 3.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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