Golden Gate University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in San Francisco, California. It enrolls 259 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarTrimester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
61/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes—
Value—
Affordability44
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Golden Gate University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Golden Gate University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Net-price data is not yet reported for this school.
Average Net Price
—
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
36%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
28%
Borrowing to attend
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,50010%percentile
$8,62525%percentile
$29,875Medianpercentile
$35,50075%percentile
$47,82490%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $23,000
↓ $6,875
No Pell $17,125
↓ $12,750
Female students $19,422
↓ $10,453
Male students $18,750
↓ $11,125
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $15,368, less than completers ($29,875), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
51% of full-time students who enrolled at Golden Gate University graduate within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
51%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
—
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Golden Gate University earn a median of $87,434 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$87,434
Earning > $25K
86%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$72,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$94,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $21,700, about 23% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
25.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 83% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Golden Gate University is home to 259 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 53% are first-generation college students, 47% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
259
Part-Time
47%
First-Generation
53%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Asian 27.4%71
White 25.5%66
Hispanic 16.2%42
Black 15.1%39
Other 5.8%15
International 3.1%8
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Golden Gate University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CitySan Francisco, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
78%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Trimesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Golden Gate University offers
a varied set of programs:
24 distinct programs across
8 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Golden Gate University is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$87M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$89,930
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
47 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
23
49%
$105,024
Associate Professors
13
28%
$86,276
Assistant Professors
2
4%
$61,812
Lecturers
9
19%
$62,883
Pros & Cons of Golden Gate University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Golden Gate University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Above-average post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
Higher than typical student debt at graduation
Best for:
Based on the data, Golden Gate University is a fit for
working adults or students needing part-time study options; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Golden Gate University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Golden Gate University.
What is Golden Gate University known for?
Golden Gate University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Business Administration, Law. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Golden Gate University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Golden Gate University are $87,434, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Golden Gate University accredited?
Yes. Golden Gate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Golden Gate University?
Golden Gate University enrolls 259 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Golden Gate University?
Golden Gate University graduates 51% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Golden Gate University a public or private college?
Golden Gate University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Golden Gate University located?
Golden Gate University is located in San Francisco, California.
What programs does Golden Gate University offer?
Golden Gate University offers 24 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Business Administration, Law.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Golden Gate University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Golden Gate University is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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