Western Governors University

www.wgu.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$7,710

4.13% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$9,555

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.00269%

on Student Loans

2023 Enrolled Students

185,015

100% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

50.9%

458 Graduates

About

Western Governors University is a higher education institution located in Salt Lake County, UT. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Governors University were Registered Nursing (7,718 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (2,505 degrees), and Learning Sciences (2,015 degrees).

In 2023, 46,180 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Governors University. 67.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 32.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (30,298 degrees), 7.03 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (4,311 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Governors University is $7,710, which is $−16,865 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Governors University was 0.00269%, corresponding to 1 out of the 37,187 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Governors University is $7,710, which is $16,865 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $9,555.

In 2023, 40% of undergraduate students attending Western Governors University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 43% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$7,710

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Western Governors University was $7,710. The cost of tuition at Western Governors University is $−16,865 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

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

Average Net Price

$9,555

2023 Value

3.78%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Western Governors University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $9,555. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Western Governors University grew by 3.78%.

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.

Other Student Expenses

$6,000

Room and Board

$200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Governors University was of $6,000 in 2023. The cost of room and board did not change between 2022 and 2023.

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.

Financial Aid by Income Level

40%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

43%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

40% of undergraduate students at Western Governors University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a growth of 5.26% with respect to 2022, when 38% 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.

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.

0.00269%

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Governors University was 0.00269%, which represents 1 out of the 37187 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.

Enrollment

Western Governors University had a total enrollment of 185,015 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Western Governors University is 185,015 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 56.6% White, 14.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Black or African American, 4.25% Asian, 3.7% Two or More Races, 0.879% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.482% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Governors University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (34.1%), followed by White Male (22.7%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (7.85%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (44.5%), followed by White Male (16.7%) and Black or African American Female (8.24%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

100%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Governors University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 185,015 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Governors University is 185,015 and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Western Governors University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% 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.

Retention Rate over Time

62%

2023 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 62%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), 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.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
104,793 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
26,208 enrolled students
Black or African American
24,266 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Governors University is 56.6% White, 14.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Black or African American, 4.25% Asian, 3.7% Two or More Races, 0.879% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.482% 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 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% 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, 12,491 students (6.75%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 16,370 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 (30,298 degrees awarded). There were 7.03 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (4,311 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Governors University is Registered Nursing (7,718 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (2,505 degrees) and Learning Sciences (2,015 degrees).

In 2023, 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 (14,124 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (6,957 degrees), and Health (13,842 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 (1,679,298 people), Registered nurses (1,597,916 people), Other managers (1,204,874 people), Software developers (1,187,147 people), and Accountants & auditors (1,092,096 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Governors University in 2023 are Education (14,124 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (6,957 degrees), Health (13,842 degrees), Business (11,239 degrees), and Engineering (18 degrees) (as of 2023).

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, Physicians, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Architectural & engineering managers, and Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

The most specialized majors at Western Governors University are Education (14,124 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (6,957 degrees), Health (13,842 degrees), Business (11,239 degrees), and Engineering (18 degrees) (as of 2023).

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 (3,292,388 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (1,911,762 people), Computer Systems Design (1,079,414 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (696,380 people), and Banking & related activities (564,291 people).

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 (2023)

Registered Nursing
7,718 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
2,505 degrees awarded
Learning Sciences
2,015 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Governors University was Registered Nursing with 7,718 degrees awarded.

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

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

14,905

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

31,275

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 14,905 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University, which is 0.477 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (31,275).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 2,657 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.945 times less than the 2,811 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 6,890 degrees were awarded to men at Western Governors University in Registered Nursing, which is 8.32 times more than the 828 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

55%

100% Completion Time

64%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 55% of students graduating from Western Governors University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 64% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 67% 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.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Black or African American Female

Highest Graduation Rate (68.6%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Western Governors University is Female and Black or African American (68.6% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

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.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
30,298 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
4,311 degrees awarded
Black or African American
3,452 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Governors University is white (30,298 degrees awarded). There were 7.03 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (4,311 degrees).

9.74% of degree recipients (4,498 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
20,991 degrees awarded
White Male
9,307 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
2,698 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Governors University is white female (20,991 degrees awarded). There were 2.26 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (9,307 degrees).

Operations

Western Governors University has an endowment valued at nearly $2.63M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 23.9M (910%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2023, Western Governors University had a total salary expenditure of 1.14B. Western Governors University employs 3,200 No academic ranks. Most academics at Western Governors University are Female No academic rank (2,341), and Male No academic rank (859).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Governors University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 977 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 950 employees, and Management with 726 employees.

Endowment

$2.63M

2023 Endowment

3.1k%

growth from 2022

Western Governors University has an endowment valued at about $2.63M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Governors University grew 3.1k% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $47.1M 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.

Salary Expenditure

$603M

2023 Salaries

25.5%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Western Governors University paid a median of $603M in salaries, which represents 53.1% of their overall expenditure ($1.14B) and a 25.5% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 1.62% decline between 2021 and 2022, and a 12.6% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$237M

Instructional Salaries

3,200

Number of Employees

In 2023, Western Governors University paid a total of $237M to 3,200 employees working as instructors, which represents 39.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

No academic rank

Most Common Instructor

3,200 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

977 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Governors University was No academic rank with 3,200 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Governors University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 977 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 950 employees, and Management with 726 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Female No academic rank
Male No academic rank

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Governors University was Female No academic rank with 2,341 employees, and Male No academic rank with 859 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Governors University.

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