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Western Governors University

Private Nonprofit Graduate Strong 74/100

Western Governors University

A nonprofit online university with flat-rate tuition of $8,658 per year, competency-based progression, and 155,000 undergraduates nationwide.

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Salt Lake City, Utah

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a nonprofit, fully online university founded in 1997 by a coalition of governors to expand access to higher education for working adults. It enrolls 155,088 undergraduates and 55,120 graduate students, making it one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment.

WGU operates on a competency-based education (CBE) model: students advance by demonstrating mastery of course material rather than accumulating seat time. The university offers programs in four areas only: business (24.7% of degrees), health and nursing (28.7%), information technology (23.4%), and education (21.4%). WGU is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Official website: wgu.edu

Acceptance: —
Graduation: 48.6%
Net Price: $12,548
Median Earnings (10yr): $60,615
Enrollment: 155,088
Student : Faculty: 42:1

Accreditor Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Academic Calendar Other Academic Year

How It Measures Up

UCD scores every college on four pillars: Outcomes, Value, Affordability, and Selectivity. Within peer group B (online and open-enrollment institutions), WGU scores 74.66 overall, rated Good. Value scores 75.90, reflecting the combination of low flat-rate tuition and above-average earnings in WGU's targeted program areas. Affordability scores 51.29. Outcomes scores 59.95, reflecting a 46.18% six-year graduation rate that is above average for online institutions but below selective four-year colleges. No Selectivity score applies: WGU is open enrollment. All scores use verified federal data only.

Strong

74/100

UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online

Outcomes 60

Value 75

Affordability 51

Selectivity —

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

WGU is open enrollment: any student with a high school diploma or GED may apply. There are no SAT or ACT requirements, no GPA minimum for general admission, and no application essay. Some programs, particularly in nursing and education, have program-specific requirements including a minimum GPA, prerequisite coursework, or state certification prerequisites.

The application process involves an enrollment counselor interview and a readiness assessment to confirm the student understands the self-directed, online format before enrolling. WGU accepts rolling applications; students can start a new six-month term in January, March, May, July, September, or November.

Acceptance Rate

—

SAT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

ACT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

Cost & Financial Aid

WGU charges a flat tuition rate per six-month term, regardless of how many courses a student completes during that term. Tuition for most programs runs approximately $4,329 per six-month term, or $8,658 per year. There are no per-credit fees and no additional charges for taking more courses in a single term.

Students who move quickly through material can complete a degree faster than traditional programs, reducing total cost. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,548 per year. WGU participates in all federal financial aid programs, including Pell grants and federal loans, and offers institutional scholarships for qualified applicants.

Average Net Price

$12,548

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

39%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

43%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees: $8,658
Room & Board (off-campus): $8,100
Books & Supplies: $200
Other Expenses (off-campus): $1,000
Total Cost of Attendance: $16,728

Application fee: $65 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$12,064
$30,001 – $48,000

$12,436
$48,001 – $75,000

$12,578
$75,001 – $110,000

$14,824
Over $110,000

$12,734

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.

$1,815

10% percentile

$4,040

25% percentile

$11,116

Median percentile

$16,058

75% percentile

$27,653

90% 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 $7,669 ↓ $3,447

No Pell $9,598 ↓ $1,518

Dependent students $6,500 ↓ $4,616

Independent students $8,589 ↓ $2,527

Female students $8,021 ↓ $3,095

Male students $9,200 ↓ $1,916

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,812, less than completers ($11,116), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

WGU's six-year graduation rate is 46.18% for full-time, first-time bachelor's-seeking students. This rate is above the median for fully online institutions but well below traditional four-year colleges. First-year retention stands at 65.9%, meaning roughly one in three students does not return after the first year.

Outcomes vary significantly by program area: nursing and IT program graduates complete at higher rates; students who enroll in programs that require clinical placements or state licensure face additional completion barriers. WGU's student population is predominantly working adults with existing family and career commitments, which influences both completion rates and the time it takes to finish.

6-Year Graduation Rate

49%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

63%

Returning for their second year

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

WGU graduates earn at or above the median for online universities in their four program areas. Median earnings are $69,572 six years after first enrolling and $60,615 at ten years. The divergence between six-year and ten-year earnings reflects the working-adult population: many WGU students are already employed and receive immediate salary increases after completing a degree, with earnings growth moderating over the following decade.

At the ten-year mark, 83.5% of former students earn more than a typical high school graduate. Earnings vary by program: IT and nursing graduates typically earn above the institutional median; education graduates typically earn below it.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$60,615

Earning > $25K

81%

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

$40,000

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$65,200

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)

$36,300

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)

$48,700

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)

$60,300

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $25,200, about 39% 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 ↑ 12.8 pts across 6 years

What this signals: Strong. 79% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.

Who Studies Here

WGU enrolls 155,088 undergraduates entirely online, with no physical campus. The student body is predominantly working adults: the average WGU student is in their early 30s, is employed, and is pursuing a degree to qualify for a promotion or career change. White students account for approximately 62% of enrollment; Hispanic 14%, Black 10%, and Asian 3%. Forty-seven percent of undergraduates are first-generation college students, one of the highest rates among large universities. Thirty-nine percent receive Pell grants. The flat-tuition model and self-paced format are specifically designed to accommodate students who cannot attend fixed class times.

Total Enrolled

155,088

Part-Time

First-Generation

47%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 50.4% 78,133

Hispanic 15.6% 24,116

Black 14.3% 22,178

Other 5.4% 8,359

Asian 4.3% 6,622

International 0.0% 16

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Western Governors University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Large Suburb Salt Lake City, Utah

Housing

Commuter campus Online-only, no physical campus

Adult Learners

84% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NAIA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Other Academic Year scheduling structure

Designation

Online-only institution

What You Can Study

Western Governors University offers an extensive catalog of programs: 44 distinct programs across 5 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.

8 Programs

Health

Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Health Administration $59K ($42K–$80K)

10 Programs

Business

Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Accounting $76K ($56K–$97K)

9 Programs

Computer Science

IT Administration $85K ($59K–$118K)
IT Administration $85K ($59K–$118K)
Computer Science $107K ($75K–$152K)

1 Program

Engineering

Computer Engineering $109K ($86K–$145K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

WGU does not use the traditional faculty model. Instead, courses are developed by subject-matter experts and delivered through a structured curriculum platform. Each student is assigned a Program Mentor who meets with them regularly and an Course Instructor who provides subject-specific academic support.

There are no traditional lecture schedules; learning happens through readings, simulations, and performance assessments that students complete on their own timeline. Instructional spending per full-time equivalent student is approximately $3,800 per year, lower than most four-year institutions, which reflects the online delivery model and the absence of physical facilities.

Student : Faculty

42:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Endowment

$384M

Solid financial position

Avg Faculty Salary

$55,515

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

3,200 instructional faculty across 1 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
No Rank	3,200	100%	$55,515

Pros & Cons of Western Governors University

WGU's strongest data points are its flat annual tuition of $8,658, its Value score (75.90), and a student population where 83.5% of former students out-earn a typical high school graduate. The model works best for working adults who are self-directed, who already have professional experience in their target field, and who want a credential that fits around a job.

The challenges are completion rates (46.18% six-year) and the narrow program offering: WGU serves only four fields. It is not a fit for students seeking campus life, broad exploration across disciplines, or programs outside business, IT, health, and education. Best fit for adults with existing work experience who need a regionally accredited bachelor's degree in one of WGU's four areas at the lowest possible annual cost.

PROS

Below-average net price
Wide variety of programs and student life
Solid post-graduation earnings
Low typical debt at graduation
First-gen-friendly student body

CONS

Larger class sizes than typical
Large institutional setting can feel impersonal
Below-average completion rate
First-year retention is below typical

Best for: Based on the data, Western Governors University is a fit for students who want a large campus with breadth and variety.

Frequently Asked Questions about Western Governors University

The questions below address what students most commonly search about WGU before enrolling: how the competency-based model works, what the flat tuition really means, which programs are available, and whether WGU degrees are respected by employers. The model is genuinely different from traditional universities; several answers explain mechanics that do not apply at other institutions.

Is Western Governors University legit?

Yes. WGU is a nonprofit university accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the same regional accreditor as Oregon State, University of Idaho, and other well-regarded institutions. Its nursing programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and its education programs hold accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Federal financial aid eligibility, which requires regional accreditation, confirms its status.

How does WGU's competency-based education work?

At WGU, students advance by passing assessments that demonstrate mastery of specific competencies, not by accumulating hours in class. Each course ends with a performance task, project, or exam. There are no scheduled lectures; students study at their own pace using course materials, mentors, and support resources. A student who already knows a subject can complete the associated course in days. A student who needs more time has the full six-month term. Tuition is flat per term regardless of how many courses are completed.

How much does WGU cost per year?

Tuition is approximately $8,658 per year (two six-month terms at $4,329 each) for most undergraduate programs. There are no per-credit fees. Students who complete more than a standard course load within a term do not pay more. The average net price after all grants is $12,548 per year, including estimated living expenses for students who budget for room and board independently. Pell grants and federal aid apply.

Can you finish WGU faster than four years?

Yes. Because WGU charges a flat rate per six-month term with no limit on courses, a student who completes coursework quickly pays less in total than one who takes the standard pace. Some WGU students complete a bachelor's degree in two to three years by completing 10 to 15 course competencies per term. Prior learning assessment credit (for relevant work experience or previous college coursework) can also reduce the total course load required.

What programs does WGU offer?

WGU offers programs in four areas only: business and management (24.7% of degrees), health and nursing (28.7%), information technology and computer science (23.4%), and education (21.4%). Within each area, WGU offers multiple degree options and some certificate programs. It does not offer programs in social sciences, humanities, engineering, law, medicine, fine arts, or most other academic fields. Students whose target field is outside these four areas should look elsewhere.

Is WGU accredited?

Yes. WGU is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Regional accreditation is the same type held by most traditional state universities and selective colleges, and it is required for federal financial aid eligibility. WGU's nursing programs hold separate accreditation from CCNE, and its teacher preparation programs hold CAEP accreditation. Credits from WGU are transferable to other regionally accredited institutions.

Do employers respect WGU degrees?

In the four fields WGU serves, yes. WGU graduates work at major employers in IT, healthcare, education, and business management, and the university has formal employer partnerships with companies including Amazon, Lowe's, Chipotle, and dozens of healthcare systems. For fields outside WGU's four program areas, the question does not apply. Graduates pursuing advanced degrees after WGU should verify specific graduate program acceptance policies, as some selective schools have additional requirements.

What is the graduation rate at WGU?

The six-year graduation rate is 46.18% for first-time, full-time bachelor's-seeking students, above the average for fully online institutions but below traditional four-year colleges. First-year retention is 65.9%. WGU's student body consists primarily of working adults with existing family and job commitments, which creates more stops and interruptions than traditional residential programs. Students who enroll with a clear timeline and regular mentor engagement complete at significantly higher rates than the overall average.

How much do WGU graduates earn?

Median earnings are $69,572 six years after first enrolling and $60,615 at ten years. The higher six-year figure reflects the working-adult population: most WGU students already hold jobs and receive salary increases shortly after earning a degree. At the ten-year mark, 83.5% of former students earn more than a typical high school graduate. Earnings vary by program: IT and nursing graduates typically earn well above the median; education graduates typically earn below it.

Does WGU offer financial aid?

Yes. WGU participates in all federal financial aid programs, including Pell grants, federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and work-study. To access federal aid, students must complete the FAFSA. WGU also offers institutional scholarships for qualified applicants, including partnerships with employers that offer tuition reimbursement benefits applicable to WGU's flat-rate tuition.

What is the average student debt at WGU?

Median federal loan debt at graduation is approximately $14,500 for completers. Given the flat-rate tuition and the relatively short time many students take to complete their degrees, total borrowing tends to be lower than at traditional four-year universities. Students who use employer tuition assistance or Pell grants often borrow significantly less. Only about half of WGU students take any federal loans.

Is WGU good for working adults?

WGU was specifically designed for working adults. There are no scheduled class times, no campus to commute to, and the self-paced model means students study around work and family schedules rather than around a fixed semester calendar. The flat-rate tuition makes it possible to accelerate during periods with more available time and slow down during busy seasons without incurring extra costs. Most WGU students are employed full-time while enrolled.

Does WGU have nursing programs?

Yes. Health and nursing represent 28.7% of WGU degrees, the largest single program area. WGU offers RN to BSN programs for licensed nurses seeking a bachelor's degree, as well as graduate nursing degrees. Prelicensure nursing programs (for students who are not yet RNs) are available in select states through affiliated clinical partners. WGU's nursing programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

How does WGU compare to community college?

Community college is typically cheaper for the first two years; WGU is a fully online bachelor's degree program. They serve different purposes. A California resident can complete two years at a community college for roughly $2,000 in fees before transferring to a four-year institution. WGU at $8,658 per year is the right choice for a student who needs a complete bachelor's degree, is working full-time, and wants a self-paced model in business, IT, health, or education.