Western Governors University
Western Governors University
Western Governors University was designed to be different from the beginning. The U.S. governors who founded WGU in 1997 knew that, for millions of working adults, the dream of pursuing a college education could only become a reality once the boundaries of time and location were removed.
WGU revolutionized the way students learn, master concepts, and earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees by harnessing the power of the internet for learning regardless of location, schedule, or work or family responsibilities using our innovative competency-based education model.
Military Focused
We recognize the work and commitment it takes to serve our country and strive to make educational opportunities available to service members, veterans, and their families. The military is demanding—it involves frequent duty station changes, demanding schedules, hard work, and dedication. We help military students and their families achieve their goal of earning a degree by providing a flexible and affordable online education.
Military Friendly® Schools has recognized WGU for 14 consecutive years. “WGU recognizes and honors the sacrifice and dedication it takes to serve our country and we strive to be a military-focused institution that makes educational opportunities accessible to Active-Duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members, veterans, and their families,” said Jeff Harley, Senior Director of Military Engagement at WGU.
We support, empower, and assist our military-affiliated students through a dedicated Military Tuition Assistance Team. WGU also provides scholarships specifically for service members and their families with over $2 million awarded to military-affiliated students in 2023.
WGU is proud to provide our nation’s young leaders multiple pathways to pursue higher education through our partnerships with the Defense Acquisition University, the Community College of the Air Force, and the United States Naval Community College. Additionally, we’re designated as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense and one of only three preferred education providers through the AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association) International.
How We Do It
Unparalleled Flexibility
WGU courses have no set log-in times or exam periods; students complete coursework and tests on their own schedules, putting them in control of their education. Monthly start dates, rather than semester starts, make it possible to begin a degree program whenever a student is ready.
Competency-Based Education
WGU pioneered career-relevant, competency-based education. We remain the only institution offering competency-based degrees in all of our programs, creating a model other colleges and universities are increasingly striving to replicate.
What is competency-based education? Simply put, it measures skills and learning rather than time spent in a classroom—in other words, “training to standard, not to time.” Students earn competency units (the equivalent of credit hours) and progress through courses as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material, rather than advancing only when the semester or term ends.
Students can also lean on knowledge they already have from previous work or school experience to accelerate through their courses. This innovative approach to skills-based education empowers the learner, allowing them to use their skills as currency to prove their capabilities to potential employers.
Low, Flat-Rate Tuition
WGU's tuition is a flat rate per six-month term allowing students can take as many courses as they’re able in that period — at no extra cost. This saves students both time and money in pursuing their degree. WGU scholarships and federal financial aid are available for qualified students. WGU also accepts military tuition assistance, VA education benefits, and is a designated Yellow Ribbon School. The average yearly bachelor's degree tuition at WGU is $8,010; the national average, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (2022), is $16,618.
Personalized Support
One of WGU’s most valued benefits are Program Mentors. Our students have regular, one-to-one support from their Mentor from the first day and work with a Course Instructor who is an expert in the subject matter in each course.
“Access to high-quality education is key to helping people make the most of their potential and thrive. It is this conviction that drives what we do at WGU. It’s why we commit to being the world’s most student-centric university—and why we aren’t afraid to go beyond convention to make the promise of higher education deliver for everyone.”
– Scott Pulsipher, WGU President
About WGU
Western Governors University is a nonprofit, online institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) offering over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in information technology, business, education, and health and nursing.
WGU’s diverse student body of over 188,000 students live in all 50 states and on U.S. military installations around the world. More than 29,000 service members, veterans, and their families are currently enrolled. Our global network of graduates is more than 357,000 strong.