Based in Washington, Gonzaga University is a Catholic university, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1887. It is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Gonzaga's admission standards are considered as one of the most selective by US News & World Report.

The university offers a variety of bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees through its seven colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering & Applied Science, Law, Nursing and Human Physiology, and Professional Studies.

The campus is home to two large libraries with the Foley Centre Library being the main graduate and undergraduate library. The other, Chastek Law Library, primarily serves the School of Law. 

Moreover, within the campus, there are many unique pieces of artwork – with the majority devoted to historical religious figures and prominent Catholics. Among the most notable are statues of St. Ignatius, St. Joseph, and St. Aloysius.

Gonzaga also completed construction of a projected $60 million building that serves as the new centre of campus. The John J. Hemmingson Centre is a three-story building which features modern architecture and an all-glass exterior.

The university offers a study abroad programme at various campuses across the world, such as: Florence, Italy, Australia, British West Indies, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Spain and Zambia.

Nicknamed the Zags, Gonzaga University’s sports teams play as part of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference. There are currently 16 men and women’s varsity sports on offer, which include: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, volleyball and track and field.

Three of Gonzaga's most recent notable athletes are basketball players – Ronny Turiaf, Robert Sacre and Adam Morrison. Other alumni include Bing Crosby, Jr., an American singer and actor, John Houston Stockton, an American retired professional basketball player, and Christine O'Grady Gregoire, an American politician who formerly served as the 22nd Governor of the state of Washington.