Western Governors University

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Created by a coalition of United States governors, Western Governors University is a private online university headquartered in Salt Lake City. WGU is home to four colleges of Teaching, Nursing, IT, and Business conferring bachelor’s degrees in 30 academic majors. Furthermore, WGU utilizes a competency-based education learning model that allows students to complete a class once they have mastered the skills taught rather than waiting for the end of the semester. All students are also assigned a “working mentor” to create an Academic Action Plan and work with that mentor until graduation. 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
7%
Out-Of-State Students
93%

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
150,116
Total Number of Undergrads
107,952
Academic Calendar

Other academic year

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

0
100
5%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
21%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
42:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$8,786
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$8,010
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$8,010
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$6,000
Books and Supplies
$200

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
34%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,960
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
34%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,052
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$875

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
68%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,590
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$8,642
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$110

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
38%
62%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Night Owls
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is not checked
No
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is not checked
No

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Seattle
Salt Lake City
Dallas
Los Angeles
Houston
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
87%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$48,100

What Students Are Saying

awesome on-line school for those who have family, jobs or require flexibility. mentors are very supportive and always available. you must be self motivated to succeed at on-line learning though.
Elizabeth from Middle River, MN
wgu receives top ratings for online students pursuing a bachelor degree in special education and have found it exhilarating and at times a challenge. i currently work 40 hours per week and find it fits my schedule and has been well worth the time and effort.
Cheryl from Galena, MO
western governors is a very supportive online university. their flexible admissions schedule and courses allow adult working students the flexibility they need to achieve a higher education. a student can finish as quickly or as slowly as their life/schedule allows.
Joey from Southaven, MS
wgu is an excellent school. it gives you the flexibility of attending classes day or night. mentors are very helpful.
Jo from Quincy, FL
wgu is a great college for students who work fulltime. they allow you to work at your own pace and get as much work done in a six month time frame that you can. they have made my life and many other students lives easier.
Tiffany from Woodbridge
This is an amazing school that teaches a lot! It provides a better understanding than other universities. My student mentor has been my savior!
Frances