Western Governors University (WGU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Western Governors University
You won't find a sprawling quad here. Western Governors University, anchored in Salt Lake City, is known for a competency-based model that lets students progress as they master skills. And the landmark is mostly digital, with a simple headquarters in town. Commencements bring far flung classmates together, often online and sometimes in person, and many embrace a night-owl rhythm that suits working learners.
Academically, WGU is known for strength in business, information technology, healthcare, and teacher preparation tied to workforce needs. The culture feels focused and supportive, with mentors and peer groups keeping momentum steady. Local ties to Utah employers and civic partners show up in projects and career pipelines. But the surprise is how personal it can feel for an online university, quiet and steady rather than splashy.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Western Governors University (WGU) offers 43 degree programs across 6 major academic fields, graduating approximately 50,199 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (15 programs, 16,762 graduates), Business (10 programs, 12,463 graduates), Health (8 programs, 12,049 graduates), Computer & IT (8 programs, 8,474 graduates) and Engineering (1 programs, 388 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (15 programs, 16,762 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5,296 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Learning Sciences | 3,267 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.0607 |
| Elementary Education | 2,917 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Instructional Technology | 1,655 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 934 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1311 |
| Special Education Teaching | 898 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 623 |
|
Master's
|
13.0401 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 399 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 258 |
|
Master's
|
13.1305 |
| Science Teacher Education | 232 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1316 |
| Biology Teacher Education | 142 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1322 |
| Earth Science Teacher Education | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1337 |
| Physics Teacher Education | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1329 |
| Chemistry Teacher Education | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1323 |
| Social Science Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.1317 |
Business (10 programs, 12,463 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 5,919 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 1,706 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Organizational Leadership | 1,379 |
|
Master's
|
52.0213 |
| Human Resources Management | 941 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Information Resources Management | 838 |
|
Master's
|
52.1206 |
| Management Information Systems | 747 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| Marketing Management | 581 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Digital Marketing | 188 |
|
Master's
|
52.1404 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 99 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Finance, General | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
Health (8 programs, 12,049 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 5,592 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Health Administration and Management | 2,710 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0701 |
| Nursing Administration | 1,633 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.3802 |
| Nursing Education | 1,039 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.3203 |
| Nursing and Nursing Administration | 416 |
|
Master's
|
51.3899 |
| Health Information Administration | 313 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0706 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 188 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2208 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 158 |
|
Master's
|
51.3805 |
Computer & IT (8 programs, 8,474 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 3,702 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.1003 |
| Information Technology | 1,551 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0103 |
| Computer Science | 1,096 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Data Modeling and Database Administration | 788 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0802 |
| System and Network Management | 518 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.1002 |
| Computer Programming | 367 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0201 |
| Cloud Computing | 356 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0902 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0901 |
Engineering (1 programs, 388 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering | 388 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0903 |
Eng. Technologies (1 programs, 63 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software Technology | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
|
15.1204 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Western Governors University (WGU)
How much does it cost to attend Western Governors University (WGU)?
The annual tuition at Western Governors University (WGU) is $8,300 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $8,500 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,100 (off-campus) and books and supplies $200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Western Governors University offer?
Western Governors University (WGU) offers 43 academic programs across 6 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (15 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (8 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (8 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Western Governors University?
Western Governors University (WGU) provides financial aid to 1% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,974 and average loans of $4,022.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,663
- State/Local grants: $2,600
- Institutional grants: $1,265
- Federal loans: $3,944
The university supports 718 students with grants and 684 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Western Governors University graduates?
Western Governors University (WGU) graduates earn a median salary of $69,572 after 6 years and $60,615 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,733 (25th percentile) to $96,337 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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