First Destination

What is First Destination? 

The First Destination Survey and Report provides data on where Gonzaga graduates go after college- their "first destination". Using standards outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Career & Professional Development gathers this information annually, providing the aggregate results in the spring in a report that shows:

  • Success Rate
  • Employment Rate
  • Continuing Education Rate
  • Volunteer Service Rate
  • Military Service Rate
  • Still-Seeking Employment or Continuing Education Rate

It also provides information on average salary ranges, the top employers/organizations, graduate programs, and geographic locations for recent graduates. Definitions of all above terms and an executive summary is located at the beginning of each First Destination Survey Report. More recent reports also include top internship organizations and longitudinal overviews.

To review and download copies of previous reports, click on the First Destination Reports section. You can also see highlights from the most recent First Destination report by scrolling down on this page.

Class of 2020 Career Outcomes

89%

Combined Graduation Success Rate (Undegraduate & Graduate Classes)

78%

Of Undergraduates Completed at Least One Experiential Engagement Activity

$66k

Average Salary (Based on 268 Respondents)

335

Total Employers & Organizations Recruiting in 2019-2020

2020 First Destination Survey Report

Beyond Gonzaga: Zags Setting the World on Fire

Pearl smiles into the camera, wearing a red checkered shirt and white t-shirt that reads: "Smile Often & Always."

Pearl Griffiths

Certified Nursing Assistant, Whitman Health & Rehabilitation Center

"The curriculum at Gonzaga not only prepared me for the vigor of the medical school application process but also instilled a need in me to help those around me. I am deeply passionate about the field I am a part of and hope that I can better the lives of my future patients while also working towards a world that is just and fair towards everyone in the realm of medicine."

Justis leans against the brick wall of Foley Library, wearing a blue checkered shirt and smiling warmly in the camera.

Justis Simmons

Associate Consultant, Slalom

"GU has also taught me the importance of cultivating genuine relationships— an invaluable skill in business. People skills are the most important skills for a student to develop, regardless of major. Learning how to lead, to follow, to listen and to collaborate are the most critical skills for someone who is new to the workforce."

Jordan stands on the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center front steps, with Jundt Art museum just visible to her right. Around her neck, she wears a stethoscope and smiles brightly.

Jordan Juranek

Public Health Nurse, Seattle-King County Public Health

"Utilizing the services and sessions that the Career and Professional Development department provided was integral to my success in finding my first nursing job after graduating from Gonzaga University in December 2019. I utilized the online portal to sign up for a mock interview and a resume building session, which helped me feel very prepared to start applying for jobs."

Wearing a navy blazer, blue shirt, and red tie, Charles ("CJ") stands proudly in front of the College Hall steps.

CJ DeBiase

Medical Doctoral Student, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences

"Gonzaga University has helped me grow in my faith, developing the skills I will need to be a doctor who seeks to serve all my patients with deep love and compassion. Inside the classroom, I have been challenged to learn to care for the whole person. Outside of the classroom, my involvement in the office of Mission and Ministry has helped me realize the ways in which I can care for all of a person’s needs when I am put in a position of trust."

Taylor stands in front of a lush canopy of green branches, wearing a boucle blazer over a pink top. She smiles into the camera.

Taylor Carnevale

Executive Fellow, California Governor's Office of Planning & Research

"I am deeply appreciative of those at Gonzaga I was fortunate to learn from – coworkers, professors, and classmates – who have given me a hunger for action and constantly remind me of the need to be committed to the shared ethics that bind us, including the Jesuit emphasis on human dignity and equity."

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Spokane, WA 99258
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(509) 313-4234
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