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Western Governors University

#1 Best Online MBA Programs
Private nonprofit Salt Lake City, UT · Suburban · Rocky Mountains · 87% data
A- Earnings B+ Value B Diversity
Graduation Rate
48% C-
About half of students who start complete their degree
Earnings (10yr)
$60,615 A-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$12,548 B-
27% less than the typical college
Enrollment
155,088
Earnings +49% vs avg
Graduation -16% vs avg
Net Price +-27% vs avg

Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 21.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online MBA Programs.

21.5× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $21.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,028,941.

What The Data Says

  1. A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Earnings 49% above the national college median.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $21.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
155,088
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Education

Why students choose Western Governors University

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B-
Top 29% overall
A-
Earnings
$60,615 median
B+
Value
4.8× net price
B-
Affordability
$12,548/yr net
C-
Graduation
48% graduate
B
Diversity
0.70 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

B-
$12,548/yr net

Students pay about $12,548 a year after grants and scholarships — 27% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

A-
$60,615 median

Graduates earn a median of $60,615 ten years after enrolling — 49% above the typical college, against $11,116 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

Limited data

Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.

See mobility →

Overview

With an enrollment of 155,088 students, Western Governors University in Salt Lake City stands out as a solid choice for those seeking flexibility in their education. It caters well to non-traditional students, particularly in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Education, and Engineering. The online format allows for self-paced learning, which is ideal for working adults or those balancing multiple responsibilities.

Looking at life after graduation, students can expect a median earning of $60,615 ten years post-degree. This figure suggests that graduates are finding solid job opportunities. While the graduation rate is 48%, the income potential indicates that those who complete their programs are likely to see a good return on their investment, despite the challenges that might come with juggling work and studies.

On the practical side, the net price after aid comes in at $12,548, with a median debt of $11,116. This suggests that many students can manage their educational expenses without overwhelming debt. Those who thrive here are typically self-motivated individuals who appreciate the autonomy of an online learning environment, making it a good fit for those ready to take charge of their education and career paths.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Western Governors University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Western Governors University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.

Retention Rate
65%
Full-Time Faculty
75%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$6,375
Student–Faculty Ratio
42:1
Diversity Index
0.70
First-Gen Students
47%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Governors University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Western Governors University is $8,658, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,548. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,064 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,116 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$8,658
Out-of-State
$8,658
Avg Net Price
$12,548
Median Debt
$11,116
Pell Grant Rate
39%
Federal Loan Rate
43%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$12,064
Family Income $30K–$48K
$12,436
Family Income $48K–$75K
$12,578
Family Income $110K+
$12,734

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Governors University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Western Governors University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Western Governors University earn a median of $60,615, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$69,572
8 Years
$68,924
10 Years
$60,615
Debt-to-Earnings
0.18x
Earning > $25K
71%

Earnings Trajectory

$69,572 6yr $68,924 8yr $60,615 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (229)
32%
100% (229)
32%
100% (229)
32%
100% (229)
32%

How Western Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation48%Earnings 10yr$61KNet Price$13KRetention65%Median Debt$11KPell Grant Rate39%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$12K$30-48K$13K$48-75K$13K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Western Governors University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Western Governors University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,548/year ($50,192 total). Graduates earn $60,615 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,079,133 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,028,941 (21.5× your investment). The median debt is $11,116, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$50,192
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,079,133
Net Return
$1,028,941
ROI Multiple
21.5×
Cost Per Year
$12,548
Median Debt
$11,116
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
48%
Explore all Western Governors ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$82,390
Investment Income
$-16,485,176

Top Programs

The fields Western Governors University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Governors University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Western Governors University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Governors University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Western Governors University is $8,658, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,548. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,064 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,116 in federal student loans.

Is Western Governors University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Western Governors University earn a median of $60,615, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Compare Western Governors University

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