Western Governors University
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.
Western Governors University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Salt Lake City, UT and set in an urban environment. This academic institution uses a continuous calendar. The freshman retention rate at Western Governors University is 73% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Western Governors University.
Quick Facts
107,952
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$7,162
Tuition
1:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Western Governors University.
As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Western Governors University was 73%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Western Governors University in 2023 was 150,116.
That year, the school had 93% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 107,952, 51 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 39,310 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 53,754 male and 96,362 female full-time students in 2023. There were 12,309 full-time graduate male and 29,855 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 3,955 Asian students and 10,925 Afro-American students in 2023. 12,955 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 2,753 as multirace. The school also had 593 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 1,473 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 11,022 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. 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 in 2023 was $7,162 for full-time domestic students. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2023 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $290.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $200 for books and supplies during their time at Western Governors University.
| Tuition | $ 7,162 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 200 |
| Total Expense | $ 7,362 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial help available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Western Governors University.
According to the most recent data, 1,858 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $6,626.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
61,864 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Western Governors University isn't available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 88,664. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $200,120,600, and state $18,846,417. The students of Western Governors University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $8,391,609, and external in the amount of $955,020.
Majors
Faculty
1:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Western Governors University was 1:1: that means 1 students per one teacher, which is considered an excellent ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 4,059. This number included 1,036 men and 3,023 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality 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. Find out some info about social life at Western Governors University.
Student Services
Western Governors University offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure 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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Western Governors University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 7,162 USD per academic year for Western Governors University.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Western Governors University is 73%.
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.