Gonzaga University School of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Private Jesuit university in Spokane offering a pre-licensure BSN plus online MSN and DNP pathways. Below: WABON first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for the BSN, official tuition and cost-of-attendance figures, and admissions notes—including Gonzaga’s published restriction on BSN applications from transfers and current students (verify current policy).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Gonzaga anchors nursing education in Spokane with a Jesuit emphasis on service and whole-person care. The pre-licensure BSN admits first-year students through the main undergraduate process, while graduate nursing (MSN, DNP, RN to MSN) is delivered online with semester-based sessions—check the graduate nursing hub for progression plans and practicum expectations.
Overview & Why Students Choose Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University’s Department of Nursing, within the School of Health Sciences, frames nursing as a humanistic, Jesuit-informed profession: students prepare for RN licensure through a pre-licensure BSN, then can advance through online MSN and DNP programs aligned with national graduate nursing expectations.
Undergraduate nursing students complete extensive clinical learning in the Spokane region; graduate students follow Gonzaga’s semester schedule with online didactic courses and practicum requirements outlined on the graduate nursing hub.
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) NCLEX school reports (February 2026 publication), Gonzaga University — BSN reported a 98.67% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 (74 of 75 first-time test takers); the same row lists 2024 at 98.90% (90 of 91). For the latest data, see the WABON program pass rates page and confirm cohort details with Gonzaga.
Reasons students choose Gonzaga
Published WABON BSN outcomes
WABON’s annual NCLEX tables show school-level first-time pass rates and test-taker counts for Gonzaga’s BSN—useful when comparing Washington programs with the same official methodology.
Spokane clinical ecosystem
Gonzaga’s BSN materials reference broad clinical partnerships in the Spokane area and substantial clinical hours in diverse settings; exact sites rotate by cohort.
Graduate NP & DNP pathways (online)
Online MSN tracks include FNP and PMHNP-focused options and a leadership track; DNP post-baccalaureate and post-master’s pathways are listed on Gonzaga’s graduate tuition schedule.
CCNE-accredited nursing programs
Gonzaga’s public disclosures state CCNE accreditation for its baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs—confirm status with CCNE and the school.
Transparent cost tables
Gonzaga publishes undergraduate COA and per-credit graduate nursing tuition on its tuition and fees pages, which helps budget for program fees (for example, undergraduate nursing major program fee and MSN/DNP program fees).
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects Gonzaga’s nursing department page, graduate nursing hub, and Graduate/Doctoral Online Programs tuition schedule. Gonzaga does not list a standalone RN-to-BSN completion degree on these pages; post-RN bachelor’s work is not claimed here—confirm any new completion pathways in the catalog.
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Pre-licensure BSN for initial RN preparation and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Gonzaga’s admission requirements describe entry for high school seniors in the fall of senior year and progression through lower-division prerequisites before upper-division nursing coursework. Important: Gonzaga states it is not accepting BSN applications from transfers or current Gonzaga students at this time—verify the current wording on the official BSN admission page.
Post-licensure & graduate
RN to MSN
Listed on Gonzaga’s undergraduate tuition schedule as “RN to MSN, per credit” with a distinct per-credit rate—confirm curriculum, specialty, and admission requirements on the graduate nursing site.
MSN — Leadership in Healthcare
Online MSN track; per-credit tuition appears under Health Sciences on Gonzaga’s graduate online tuition page.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner & Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Gonzaga’s tuition table groups FNP and PMHNP MSN preparation with a shared per-credit rate; confirm specialty tracks and certification exam focus with the program.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Post-baccalaureate and post-master’s DNP pathways are listed with per-credit tuition; DNP program fees appear per semester on the graduate online tuition schedule.
If you are a community college transfer or a current Gonzaga student hoping to switch into nursing, read Gonzaga’s published BSN admission statement carefully—Gonzaga has explicitly restricted those application routes in its online materials. Policies can change; always confirm with the School of Health Sciences.
Program names, tracks, and delivery modes can change. Verify the current catalog, student handbook, and School of Health Sciences pages for your entry term.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) NCLEX school reports (PDF published February 2026; linked below), Gonzaga University — BSN reported a 98.67% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 (74 of 75 first-time test takers) and 98.90% for 2024 (90 of 91). The same row includes earlier calendar-year columns (for example, 88.57% in 2023 with 62 of 70 test takers). Washington uses an 80% first-time pass-rate standard for nursing programs—confirm how WABON applies enforcement in current rules.
These figures apply to the pre-licensure BSN pathway that leads to NCLEX-RN. Gonzaga’s MSN and DNP programs serve licensed nurses and advanced practice preparation; their outcomes are not interchangeable with pre-licensure NCLEX statistics.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2025) | 98.67% (74 of 75 first-time test takers), per WABON NCLEX school reports (February 2026) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2024) | 98.90% (90 of 91) — same WABON table row |
| Source | WABON — NCLEX school reports (PDF); Program pass rates landing page. Confirm current data with the Washington State Board of Nursing and Gonzaga University. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting cycle. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates and test-taker counts in the WABON publication and with the nursing program.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses depend on Gonzaga admissions policies, visa status, clinical site rules, and Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission licensure pathways. Use this as a checklist—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum scores and accepted exams for undergraduate or graduate admission—confirm with Gonzaga’s international admission office.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluation requirements for prerequisites and transfer credit.
- Washington Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, NCLEX eligibility, and any CGFNS-related steps, use nursing.wa.gov.
- Immigration & visa: Whether F-1 students can access required clinical placements in BSN and graduate practicum courses; clinical sites may impose additional requirements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Gonzaga’s international office, the School of Health Sciences, and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-licensure BSN: Gonzaga’s published BSN admission requirements describe entry for high school students who apply in the fall of senior year and begin the nursing major in the freshman fall semester. During the first two years, students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn at least a C in prerequisite nursing courses; grades below 2.0 in a prerequisite may be subject to a one-time repeat rule. At the time this page was reviewed, Gonzaga stated it was not accepting applications to nursing from current Gonzaga students or from transfer students—confirm whether that restriction still applies before you plan a pathway.
Graduate nursing (MSN, DNP, RN to MSN): Admission is managed separately from the traditional BSN; review the graduate nursing hub for prerequisite nursing licensure, specialty requirements, and application materials. A standardized entrance exam requirement for every graduate track is not publicly disclosed on the pages we reviewed—confirm with the program.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (first-year entry) | Senior-year application through Gonzaga undergraduate admission | Follow Gonzaga’s first-year application deadlines; nursing-specific materials may apply. |
| RN to MSN / MSN / DNP | Semester-based graduate admission | See Graduate Admission and the graduate nursing hub. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| BSN prerequisite GPA expectation | Cumulative 3.0 during first two years (per Gonzaga BSN admission page); confirm updates. |
| TEAS / HESI (BSN) | Not publicly disclosed on the BSN admission page we reviewed; confirm with the School of Health Sciences. |
| Transfer into BSN | Gonzaga’s published requirements stated applications were not accepted from transfer students at the time of review—verify current policy. |
Honest tips
If you are weighing Gonzaga’s BSN, read the transfer and internal-transfer policy first—it is unusually restrictive compared with many public programs. If you are an RN targeting MSN or DNP, map your license, experience, and prerequisite coursework to Gonzaga’s graduate nursing materials early, because NP tracks include significant practicum coordination.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Gonzaga is a private university; published undergraduate tuition is not split into in-state and out-of-state rates on the cost-of-attendance table below. Figures come from Gonzaga’s Cost of Attendance and Undergraduate Programs Tuition and Fees pages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (2026–2027 academic year) | $58,390 per year for full-time study (12–18 credits per semester), plus $1,120 required fees (Gonzaga undergraduate COA table) |
| Undergraduate nursing major program fee | $1,200 (listed on Gonzaga undergraduate tuition & fees schedule—confirm billing frequency) |
| Total cost of attendance (2026–2027, examples) | On-campus direct costs $76,670 before indirect expenses; total COA varies by living arrangement (see Gonzaga COA table) |
| Graduate nursing (online), per credit | MSN Leadership $1,045; MSN FNP/PMHNP and DNP $1,225; RN to MSN $1,005 (Gonzaga Graduate/Doctoral Online Programs tuition). Additional semester program fees apply for DNP and MSN NP tracks. |
| Source | Gonzaga — Cost of Attendance; Undergraduate Tuition & Fees; Graduate/Doctoral Online Tuition |
Gonzaga’s financial aid pages note that many admitted students receive aid; average aid figures are marketing summaries—use the net price calculator and financial aid office for personalized estimates.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
According to WABON’s February 2026 NCLEX school reports, Gonzaga’s BSN row lists 98.67% first-time for 2025 (74 of 75 testers) and 98.90% for 2024 (90 of 91). Gonzaga’s student outcomes page has historically highlighted employment metrics; any employment percentage should be confirmed on the school’s current outcomes disclosure with cohort year and methodology.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2025) | 98.67% (74 of 75), per WABON NCLEX school reports (February 2026) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2024) | 98.90% (90 of 91), same source |
| Employment after graduation | Confirm current school-reported employment figures and cohort year on Gonzaga’s BSN student outcomes page. |
Is Gonzaga University the Right Fit for You?
Gonzaga fits students who want a private Jesuit university experience in Eastern Washington, can meet selective BSN progression expectations, and—if they need to transfer in—have verified that Gonzaga’s current BSN admission policy allows their pathway.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Plan first-year entry into a pre-licensure BSN and can maintain strong grades in science prerequisites.
- Want Spokane-area clinical training and a mission-driven nursing culture.
- Are licensed RNs or APRNs seeking online MSN or DNP advancement with semester-based scheduling.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need to transfer into a pre-licensure BSN program—Gonzaga’s published policy has blocked transfer and internal transfer applicants at times.
- Require the lowest possible tuition for pre-licensure RN training (compare with Washington public options).
- Need a fully online pre-licensure BSN (Gonzaga’s BSN is campus-based with clinical immersion).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Spokane is the regional hub for Inland Northwest healthcare. Gonzaga BSN students commonly rotate through diverse inpatient and community settings tied to major systems serving Spokane County and nearby communities. Examples of large regional providers students may encounter (not an exhaustive clinical list) include Providence facilities such as Sacred Heart and Children’s Hospital, MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, and the Spokane Veterans Affairs medical center—confirm current contracts with Gonzaga.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital | Large tertiary referral center and pediatric hospital serving Eastern Washington—common touchpoint for complex care exposure. |
| MultiCare Deaconess Hospital | Acute-care hospital network presence in Spokane; students may see medical–surgical and specialty units depending on cohort placement. |
| Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center | Federal healthcare system site; may support selected learning experiences where agreements exist. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Gonzaga’s nursing department highlights simulation and laboratory learning alongside community clinical experiences. Campus life follows a residential private-university model for undergraduates, with student ministry, Division I athletics, and student organizations; nursing-specific groups may vary by year. Graduate nursing students may visit campus for immersions or orientation depending on program—see the graduate nursing materials for your track.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Spokane, WA
- Address
- 502 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99258-0102, US
- Telephone
- (509) 313-4102 (main campus)
- Website
- gonzaga.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read Gonzaga’s BSN admission requirements and confirm whether transfer or internal applications are allowed for your cycle.
- Download the Gonzaga catalog section for nursing prerequisites and map courses to your transcripts.
- If you are applying to graduate nursing, review RN to MSN, MSN, DNP prerequisites and the graduate nursing progression plan for your specialty.
- Bookmark the WABON program pass rates page and confirm the latest NCLEX cohort row for Gonzaga BSN.
- Build a budget using Gonzaga’s COA and net price tools; include nursing program fees.
- List questions for Gonzaga admissions or School of Health Sciences advising on clinical placement geography and progression.
- Set calendar reminders for your target application term (first-year BSN vs. graduate nursing).
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Gonzaga University offer?
Gonzaga offers a pre-licensure BSN, online graduate nursing programs including MSN (Leadership in Healthcare; FNP and PMHNP tracks), DNP post-baccalaureate and post-master’s pathways, and an RN to MSN option. Confirm tracks on the official nursing and graduate nursing pages.
What is the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for Gonzaga’s BSN?
According to the WABON NCLEX school reports (February 2026 publication), Gonzaga University — BSN reported a 98.67% first-time pass rate for 2025 (74 of 75 first-time test takers) and 98.90% for 2024 (90 of 91). Confirm the latest year in the WABON PDF.
Does Gonzaga accept transfer students into the pre-licensure BSN?
Gonzaga’s published BSN admission requirements have stated that applications are not accepted from transfer students or from current Gonzaga students. Verify whether that policy is still in effect before you plan a transfer pathway.
What GPA do I need for Gonzaga’s BSN prerequisites?
Gonzaga indicates students should maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA during the first two years and earn at least a C in prerequisite nursing courses, with additional rules for grades below 2.0. Confirm current requirements with the School of Health Sciences.
What is undergraduate tuition at Gonzaga for 2026–2027?
Gonzaga’s 2026–2027 undergraduate cost of attendance lists tuition at $58,390 per academic year for full-time study plus $1,120 in required fees; nursing majors may also have a program fee on the tuition schedule.
How much is Gonzaga’s online MSN or DNP nursing tuition per credit?
Gonzaga’s Graduate/Doctoral Online Programs tuition lists MSN Leadership at $1,045 per credit; MSN FNP/PMHNP and DNP at $1,225 per credit; RN to MSN at $1,005 per credit on the undergraduate tuition page, plus semester program fees for some tracks. Confirm on Gonzaga’s tuition pages.
Is Gonzaga nursing accredited?
Gonzaga states that its baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Where do Gonzaga BSN students complete clinicals?
Gonzaga reports many clinical partners in the Spokane area; major regional hospitals include Providence Sacred Heart and MultiCare Deaconess. Exact rotations vary by cohort—confirm with the program.
Where can I verify Washington NCLEX pass rates by school?
Use the Washington State Board of Nursing program pass rates and NCLEX publications on nursing.wa.gov (see References).
References
- Gonzaga University — Department of Nursinggonzaga.edu/school-of-health-sciences/departments/nursing
- Gonzaga University — BSN admission requirementsgonzaga.edu/…/admission-requirements
- Gonzaga University — Undergraduate cost of attendance (2026–2027)gonzaga.edu/…/cost-of-attendance
- Gonzaga University — Undergraduate tuition & feesgonzaga.edu/…/undergraduate-programs
- Gonzaga University — Graduate/Doctoral online tuitiongonzaga.edu/…/graduate-doctoral-online-programs
- Washington State Board of Nursing — program pass ratesnursing.wa.gov/…/program-pass-rates
- Washington State Board of Nursing — NCLEX school reports (PDF, Feb 2026)NCLEX-pass-rates.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX sourcing, tuition accuracy against Gonzaga’s published COA and tuition tables, and alignment with Gonzaga’s stated BSN admission requirements (including transfer restrictions).
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy
