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Salt Lake City , UT
Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit online university that was established in 1997 by 19 governors of the western United States. It is recognized for its competency-based education model, which allows students to earn a degree based on their mastery of specific skills and knowledge, rather than the amount of time spent in class. WGU offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas such as business, education, information technology, and healthcare.
One key aspect of WGU's approach is its flexibility. Students can start their programs at any time and progress at their own pace, with the option to accelerate if they have prior knowledge or experience in certain subjects. This enables working professionals or individuals with other commitments to earn a degree while balancing their personal and professional responsibilities. Additionally, WGU's online platform provides 24/7 access to course materials, allowing students to study whenever and wherever it suits them.
Another distinguishing feature of WGU is its affordability. The university follows a flat-rate tuition model, which means students pay a fixed amount per term regardless of how many courses they complete. This structure empowers students to complete their degrees quickly, potentially reducing their overall tuition costs. Moreover, WGU offers scholarships and various forms of financial aid to make education accessible to a wider range of individuals.
Overall, Western Governors University stands out for its innovative competency-based education model, flexible scheduling options, and affordable tuition structure. With its focus on preparing students for real-world careers, WGU has emerged as a reputable institution that caters to the needs of working professionals seeking to enhance their skillset or embark on a new career path.
Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Western Governors University is a private comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a continuous calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 81%. The freshman retention rate at Western Governors University is 62% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Western Governors University.
Quick Facts
135,822
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$7,660
Tuition
42:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Western Governors University and what are the admission requirements?
In 2023, the school accepted 22 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Western Governors University was 62% in 2023.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal place for you is not easy. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Western Governors University in 2023 was 185,015.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 93% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 135,822, 20 of which were international students. 39,310 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 73,661 male and 111,354 female full-time students in 2023, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. There were 12,309 full-time graduate male and 29,855 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 5,581, and the number of Black American students was 18,105. 20,783 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 5,289 as multirace. The school also had 660 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1,194 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 9,101 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $7,660 in 2023. Western Governors University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $400 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $200.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2023, room and board cost at Western Governors University amounted to $8,100 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $4,800, according to the data from 2023.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,660 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,100 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 200 |
| Total Expense | $ 15,960 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Western Governors University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 1,466 freshmen were awarded financial aid.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
58,742 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 58,742. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $351,469,871, and state $24,801,061. The students of Western Governors University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $10,252,839, and external in the amount of $2,727,174.
Majors
Faculty
42:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2023, this ratio at Western Governors University was 42:1. That means that there were 42 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 8,420 faculty members at this school. This number included 2,673 men and 5,747 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Western Governors University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about campus life at Western Governors University.
Student Services
At Western Governors University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Western Governors University.
All in all, campus life at Western Governors University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
FAQ
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Western Governors University is located in Salt Lake City, UT.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Western Governors University is 7,660 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Western Governors University is 81%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Western Governors University is 62%.
Contact Information
Western Governors University
4001 South 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City , UT
84107
801 274-3280
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.