Western Governors University

www.wgu.edu

Add Comparison
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $8,180
    6.1% growth from 2023
    2024 Average Net Price
    $11,328
    After Financial Aid
    2022 Default Rate
    0.00458%
    on Student Loans
    2024 Enrolled Students
    210,208
    100% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    46.2%
    581 Graduates

    About

    Western Governors University is a higher education institution located in Salt Lake County, UT. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Governors University were Registered Nursing (5,592 degrees awarded), Learning Sciences (2,871 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (2,586 degrees).

    In 2024, 50,234 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Governors University. 64.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 35.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (32,628 degrees), 6.2 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (5,259 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Western Governors University is $8,180, which is $−15,820 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    In 2022 the default rate for borrower's at Western Governors University was 0.00458%, corresponding to 2 out of the 43,683 total borrowers.

    Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMasters Colleges and Universities

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Governors University is $8,180, which is $15,820 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $11,328.

    In 2024, 43% of undergraduate students attending Western Governors University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 43% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $8,180
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Governors University was $8,180. The cost of tuition at Western Governors University is $−15,820 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Governors University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Average Net Price

    $11,328
    2024 Value
    18.6%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Western Governors University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,328. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Western Governors University grew by 18.6%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Western Governors University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Other Student Expenses

    $8,100
    Room and Board
    $200
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Governors University was of $8,100 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 35% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Western Governors University (in red) with that of similar universities.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Financial Aid by Income Level

    43%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    43%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    43% of undergraduate students at Western Governors University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 7.5% with respect to 2023, when 40% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Western Governors University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Student Loan Default Rate

    Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.
    0.00458%
    2022 Default Rate
    2
    Number of Defaults

    In 2022 the default rate for borrower's at Western Governors University was 0.00458%, which represents 2 out of the 43683 total borrowers.

    A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Enrollment

    Western Governors University had a total enrollment of 210,208 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Western Governors University is 210,208 students and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Western Governors University are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Western Governors University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 51.3% White, 14.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14% Black or African American, 4.37% Asian, 3.62% Two or More Races, 1.04% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.447% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Western Governors University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (30.4%), followed by White Male (22.3%) and Black or African American Female (8.11%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (40.7%), followed by White Male (16.3%) and Black or African American Female (8.86%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    100%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Western Governors University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 210,208 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Governors University is 210,208 and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Western Governors University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Governors University (in red) compares to similar universities.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Retention Rate over Time

    65%
    2024 Retention Rate

    Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Governors University was 65%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Governors University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Governors University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      107,865 enrolled students
    2. Hispanic or Latino
      30,296 enrolled students
    3. Black or African American
      29,374 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Western Governors University is 51.3% White, 14.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14% Black or African American, 4.37% Asian, 3.62% Two or More Races, 1.04% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.447% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 22,734 students (10.8%) did not report their race.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Graduates

    In 2024, 14,764 more women than men received degrees from Western Governors University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Governors University is white (32,628 degrees awarded). There were 6.2 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (5,259 degrees).

    The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Governors University is Registered Nursing (5,592 degrees awarded), followed by Learning Sciences (2,871 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (2,586 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Governors University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Education (16,762 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (8,474 degrees), and Business (12,463 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Elementary & middle school teachers
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,698,599 people), Registered nurses (1,644,313 people), Software developers (1,269,943 people), Other managers (1,241,550 people), and Accountants & auditors (1,096,216 people).

    The most specialized majors at Western Governors University in 2024 are Education (16,762 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (8,474 degrees), Business (12,463 degrees), Health (12,084 degrees), and Engineering (388 degrees) (as of 2024).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Surgeons, Podiatrists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Physicians

    The most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Education (16,762 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (8,474 degrees), Business (12,463 degrees), Health (12,084 degrees), and Engineering (388 degrees) (as of 2024).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Common Industries by Major

    Elementary & secondary schools
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,439,754 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (2,145,942 people), Computer Systems Design (1,675,382 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (900,311 people), and Construction (795,853 people).

    The most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Education (16,762 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (8,474 degrees), Business (12,463 degrees), Health (12,084 degrees), and Engineering (388 degrees) (as of 2024).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Governors University.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. Registered Nursing
      5,592 degrees awarded
    2. Learning Sciences
      2,871 degrees awarded
    3. General Business Administration & Management
      2,586 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Governors University was Registered Nursing with 5,592 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Governors University according to their major.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    17,735
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    32,499
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 17,735 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University, which is 0.546 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (32,499).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Governors University by degrees awarded.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 3,294 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University in Computer & Information Systems Security, which is 8.07 times more than the 408 female recipients with that same degree.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 4,960 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University in Registered Nursing, which is 7.85 times more than the 632 male recipients with that same degree.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Time to Complete

    33%
    100% Completion Time
    49%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 33% of students graduating from Western Governors University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 49% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

    Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.
    Asian Female
    Highest Graduation Rate (58.3%)

    The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Western Governors University is Female and Asian (58.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

    The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      32,628 degrees awarded
    2. Hispanic or Latino
      5,259 degrees awarded
    3. Black or African American
      4,135 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Western Governors University is white (32,628 degrees awarded). There were 6.2 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (5,259 degrees).

    8% of degree recipients (4,018 students) did not report their race.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Female
      23,204 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      22,046 degrees awarded
    3. White Female
      22,036 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Governors University is white female (23,204 degrees awarded). There were 1.05 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (22,046 degrees).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Operations

    Western Governors University has an endowment valued at nearly $3.32M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 59.4M (1.79k%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

    In 2024, Western Governors University had a total salary expenditure of 1.29B. Western Governors University employs 3,576 No academic ranks. Most academics at Western Governors University are Female No academic rank (2,616), and Male No academic rank (960).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Governors University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 1,085 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 833 employees, and Management with 715 employees.

    Endowment

    $3.32M
    2024 Endowment
    26.1%
    growth from 2023

    Western Governors University has an endowment valued at about $3.32M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Governors University grew 26.1% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $42.6M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Governors University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Salary Expenditure

    $684M
    2024 Salaries
    13.4%
    growth from 2023

    In 2024, Western Governors University paid a median of $684M in salaries, which represents 53.2% of their overall expenditure ($1.29B) and a 13.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 25.5% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 1.62% decline between 2021 and 2022.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Instructional Salaries

    $274M
    Instructional Salaries
    3,576
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Western Governors University paid a total of $274M to 3,576 employees working as instructors, which represents 40% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Governors University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 1,085 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 833 employees, and Management with 715 employees.

    View Data
    Save Image