1997
Salt Lake City, UT

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-profit

Highest Level Offered:

Post-master's certificate

Religious Affiliation:

Not applicable

Enrollment:

Undergraduate: 201,091 ; Graduate: 81,059

Percent of Fully Online Students:

Undergraduate: 100% ; Graduate: 100%

Graduation Rate:

46%

Transfer Rate:

7%

Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:

$60,615

Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):

$11,116

Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:

43%

Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:

$5,054

Yellow Ribbon Program:

Yes

Credit for Military Training:

Yes

Online Programs offered by Western Governors University

Check Program Availability

All Programs

Art & Liberal Arts

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / English Education (Secondary)

Business

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Accounting
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Business Management
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Human Resource Management
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Information Technology Management
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Communications
Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain & Operations Management
Bachelor of Science in User Experience Design
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Business Administration
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Business Administration / IT Management
Master of Science in Accounting / Auditing
Master of Science in Accounting / Financial Reporting
Master of Science in Accounting / Management Accounting
Master of Science in Accounting / Taxation
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Management and Leadership
Master of Science in Marketing / Digital Marketing
Master of Science in Marketing / Marketing Analytics

Computer Science & IT

Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Data Analytics / Data Science
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Information Technology Management

Criminal Justice, Safety & Law

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

Education

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education (Mild to Moderate)
Popular degree
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education & Elementary Education (Dual Licensure)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Science Education / Middle Grades
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Science Education / Secondary Biological Science
Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Science Education / Secondary Chemistry
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Science Education / Secondary Earth Science
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Science Education / Secondary Physics
Popular degree
Endorsement in English Language Learning (PreK-12)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in English Language Learning (PreK-12)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Mathematics Education (K-6)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Best Buy degree
Master of Arts in Science Education / Middle Grades
Best Buy degree
Master of Arts in Science Education / Secondary Biological Science
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Science Education / Secondary Chemistry
Best Buy degree
Master of Arts in Science Education / Secondary Earth Science
Best Buy degree
Master of Arts in Science Education / Secondary Physics
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / Elementary Education
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Best Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / Science Education (Secondary)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Arts in Teaching / Special Education (K-12)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Education in Education Technology & Instructional Design
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Educational Leadership

Engineering

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Network Engineering & Security
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
Popular degree
Master of Science in Data Analytics / Data Engineering
Popular degree
Master of Science in Data Analytics / Decision Process Engineering

Healthcare

Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Health Science
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Business Administration / Healthcare Management
Best Buy degree
Master of Health Leadership
Popular degree
Master of Healthcare Administration
Master of Public Health

Nursing

Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Education (BSN to MSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Education (RN to MSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Leadership & Management (BSN to MSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Leadership & Management (RN to MSN)
Popular degreeBest Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN)
Best Buy degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Nursing Informatics (RN to MSN)
Popular degree
Master of Science in Nursing / Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)

Psychology & Human Services

Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Services
Popular degree
Bachelor of Science in Psychology

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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

Google Map

Western Governors University is located in Utah

Utah at a Glance:

State flag of UT
Salt Lake City
3,271,616
84,897 sq mi
6
8
2
$9,200.00

Top Majors in Utah:

Top Incentives in Utah:

Top Career Pathways in Utah:

Software Development
  • 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
* Data is approximate and may be AI-enhanced