Western Governors University

Non-profit public

Public

Private

Regional

Western Governors University was founded in 1997 to meet the unique needs of online learners. Today, the university offers dozens of fully online and accredited degrees, preparing graduates for diverse careers in business, teaching, information technology, and healthcare. Online programs at WGU are competency-based, which means students can advance through their coursework as soon as they demonstrate mastery of core concepts and skills. This self-paced style of learning -- combined with the university's generous credit transfer policies -- allow students to earn their degree faster. In addition, programs begin once every month, giving learners the flexibility to schedule their learning around busy periods at home or work. Undergraduate applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, though WGU does not require ACT or SAT scores. Some bachelor's programs, however, may require incoming students to take a collegiate readiness assessment. Applicants who do not pass this exam may need to enroll in a developmental writing course prior to entering a program.

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Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

79% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

89% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

67% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:	Required	High school transcript:	Required
High school rank:	Not required or recommended	Letter of recommendation:	Not required or recommended
High school GPA:	Required	Open admission:	No
Completion of college prep program:	Considered (not required)	Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*:

ⓘ *This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

33k

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

90%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

17:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Architecture And Related Services	✔	✔	✕
2	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies	✔	✔	✔
3	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies	✔	✔	✕
4	Biological And Biomedical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
5	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services	✔	✔	✔
6	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
7	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services	✔	✔	✔
8	Education	✔	✔	✔
9	Engineering	✔	✔	✔
10	English Language And Literature/Letters	✔	✔	✔
11	Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences	✔	✔	✕
12	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics	✔	✔	✔
13	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
14	Health Professions And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
15	History	✔	✔	✔
16	History	✔	✔	✔
17	Legal Professions And Studies	✕	✔	✔
18	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities	✔	✔	✕
19	Mathematics And Statistics	✔	✔	✔
20	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	✔	✔	✕
21	Natural Resources And Conservation	✔	✕	✕
22	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies	✔	✔	✔
23	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology	✔	✔	✔
24	Philosophy And Religious Studies	✔	✔	✔
25	Physical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
26	Psychology	✔	✔	✔
27	Public Administration And Social Service Professions	✔	✔	✔
28	Social Sciences	✔	✔	✔
29	Visual And Performing Arts	✔	✔	✔