Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Gannon University #1016 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,440 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Gannon University in the 47.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Gannon University sits in the 10.8 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting strong outcomes for low-income and first-generation students. ---
Azimuth ranks Gannon University #1016 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Erie, PA, Gannon University enrolls roughly 2,365 undergraduates. Retention is 76.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.4%, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Where Gannon University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Gannon University #521 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,497. The institution's strength in Health fields — which represent a substantial share of degree output — drives consistent earnings outcomes and positions Gannon University as a reliable choice for students seeking clear financial returns from their undergraduate investment. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Gannon University sits in the 34.1 percentile for access and the 28.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution, Gannon University carries a higher sticker price than public alternatives, though need-based aid reshapes the net cost for families that qualify. The institution enrolls 23.8% Pell-eligible students and 26.1% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a commitment to broad access within the private nonprofit sector. For students prioritizing strong earnings outcomes and willing to navigate higher upfront costs, Gannon University delivers measurable financial value.
Gannon University's published cost of attendance is $52,869. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,489, families in the lower-middle range pay around $15,945, middle-income families pay about $20,352, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $23,354, and higher-income families pay roughly $25,445. Azimuth ranks Gannon University #1019 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Gannon University uses the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students. Most aid is need-based, though merit aid can supplement need-based packages for students meeting specified academic or talent criteria. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $34,648; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Gannon University's median four-year earnings of $65,497, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Gannon University is a strong fit for students seeking a private university experience in PA with a focus on health professions and applied fields. The institution delivers solid financial outcomes relative to its regional context, making it a practical choice for students prioritizing career-aligned programs. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,497, placing Gannon University in the 70.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,440 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 47.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a mix of traditional and non-traditional students — 23.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.1% are first-generation. This access profile combines with a 49.4% Pell graduation rate to create meaningful mobility pathways for students from diverse backgrounds. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 74.2% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health and applied fields over liberal arts. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong regional outcomes relative to PA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $33,196.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Gannon University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Gannon University's published cost of attendance is $52,869. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,489, families in the lower-middle range pay around $15,945, middle-income families pay about $20,352, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $23,354, and higher-income families pay roughly $25,445.
Azimuth ranks Gannon University #1019 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Gannon University uses the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students. Most aid is need-based, though merit aid can supplement need-based packages for students meeting specified academic or talent criteria.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $34,648; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Gannon University's median four-year earnings of $65,497, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Gannon University earn median 4-year earnings of $65,497, placing Gannon University in the 70.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,440 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Gannon University in the 47.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Gannon University #521 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Gannon University's concentration in health-related fields.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other is the largest program with 126 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $93,419, representing 1.4x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 64 students with median 4-year earnings of $80,846, and Kinesiology delivers median 4-year earnings of $54,161 for 61 graduates.
Criminal Justice and Biology, General round out the top programs, with graduates earning $55,000 and $60,846 respectively. This program mix — anchored in Health — aligns with stable, in-demand career pathways that support consistent long-term financial outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clark University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28227 ranked) | MA | 40% | $62,381 | #28227 | Compare |
John Carroll University Similar quality tier (#28229 ranked) | OH | 81% | $62,860 | #28229 | Compare |
University Of New Haven Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28226 ranked) | CT | 60% | $60,126 | #28226 | Compare |
Mount St. Mary's University Similar quality tier (#28233 ranked) | MD | 74% | $64,072 | #28233 | Compare |
University Of Sioux Falls Similar quality tier (#28225 ranked) | SD | 83% | $54,521 | #28225 | Compare |
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
126 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
24 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
64 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
25 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
22 graduates
Gannon University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied professional fields, a portfolio shaped by the institution's regional mission and workforce focus. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other is the largest program with 126 graduates annually, followed by Nursing, Kinesiology, Criminal Justice, and Biology, General.
Across 27 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned to regional healthcare and professional-services demand. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's health-professions concentration.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other leads with median earnings of $93,419 four years after enrollment from 126 graduates, followed by Mechanical Engineering at $82,856 from 24 graduates and Nursing at $80,846. Finance and Accounting round out the highest-earning cohorts with median earnings of $73,971 and $67,065 respectively.
These outcomes reflect the strong regional demand for healthcare professionals and the direct-to-workforce pathways that characterize nursing, allied health, and clinical programs. The program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation in fields with stable labor-market demand.
Health represents the institution's primary focus, positioning graduates for roles in healthcare delivery, clinical practice, and health administration where four-year earnings reflect immediate workforce entry. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Gannon University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in healthcare and related professional sectors.
