About Western Governors University
Online degrees based on your skills and knowledge
Western Governors University—a private, nonprofit, online university—features a competency-based approach to learning that emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge instead of accumulating credit hours. Progress toward your online degree is based on passing rigorous assessments that measure your skills and knowledge in your field of study. WGU offers over 50 degree programs in teacher education, business, information technology, and healthcare (including nursing). These programs are best suited for individuals with at least one year of college experience.

Here’s what the WGU advantage means to you:
- An online learning and assessment model that gives you flexibility and control over your education.
- A mentoring team committed to your success.
- A trusted quality education from the only university to have ever received accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions.
- Affordable tuition with the possibility of accelerated learning that equals lower costs for your education.
Challenging and efficient. These are the hallmarks of WGU’s competency-based approach. Learn more today!
Note: In Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, through partnerships with these states, WGU operates as WGU Indiana, WGU Missouri, WGU Tennessee, WGU Texas, and WGU Washington respectively. Students who live in these states will receive information from and ultimately enroll in these state universities.
Program Level Accreditation
The WGU School of Education is the first competency-based online university to receive accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Additionally, the teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU School of Education have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026.
WGU’s Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s nursing programs are CCNE accredited (CCNE, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, 202-867-6791).
Accreditation & Licensing
Western Governors University is accredited by:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s “home” accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges.
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Post-master's certificateReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 201,091 ; Graduate: 81,059Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 100% ; Graduate: 100%Graduation Rate:
46%Transfer Rate:
7%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$60,615Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$11,116Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
43%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$5,054Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesCredit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Western Governors University
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Computer Science & IT
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Education
Engineering
Healthcare
Nursing
Psychology & Human Services
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Frequently Asked Questions About Western Governors University
Is Western Governors University accredited?
Yes. Western Governors University is institutionally accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many online programs does Western Governors University offer?
Western Governors University offers 79 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Western Governors University offer?
Western Governors University offers both bachelor's and master's level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Western Governors University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Western Governors University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Western Governors University falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Western Governors University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Western Governors University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Western Governors University programs require?
Most listed programs require at least a 2.5 GPA, with requirements generally ranging from 2.5 to 2.8.
Is Western Governors University military friendly?
Western Governors University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Western Governors University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Western Governors University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Interview, Official High School Transcript/GED Score, and Occupational License. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Western Governors University accept life experience credit?
Western Governors University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Western Governors University programs fully online or mixed?
Western Governors University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Western Governors University offer?
Western Governors University has online program options in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, and Healthcare; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Western Governors University programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Western Governors University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Western Governors University programs have state authorization limitations?
Some programs show state or location restrictions, so students should confirm eligibility for their state before applying. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Western Governors University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Western Governors University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Western Governors University programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Western Governors University program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Western Governors University is featured in 39 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Western Governors University is located in Utah
Utah at a Glance:

Top Majors in Utah:
Top Incentives in Utah:
- Utah Promise Scholarship: Covers remaining tuition
Top Career Pathways in Utah:
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($75,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Developer ($115,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($160,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Azure







































