{"id":121521,"date":"2022-08-10T09:40:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T16:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=121521"},"modified":"2022-08-10T09:40:45","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T16:40:45","slug":"western-governors-university-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/western-governors-university-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Governors University Review: Western Governors University Rankings, Admissions, Academics, Cost, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article provides an in-depth Western Governors University review. We will be covering important aspects for prospective students to consider, including Western Governors University cost and financial aid details, college life, and faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other details provided in this piece include Western Governors University ranking information and notable alumni. If you\u2019re unsure about the quality of education you\u2019d be receiving from this online school, we\u2019ve also looked into national and regional Western Governors University accreditation factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All About Western Governors University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit and private online university. It was established in 1997 by 19 US governors as a way to meet education needs via the Internet, where many more people would be able to access a college education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WGU uses a competency-based learning model, instead of the more traditional one that measures time spent in a classroom. There are currently over 150,000 students enrolled in this online school, across a wide variety of programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Is Western Governors University Located?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University is an online school; therefore, it can operate anywhere in the world. However, there are nine regional hubs spread across the United States, plus three corporate offices. These places serve as the work bases of all faculty and staff available to help the online students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University\u2019s headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other facilities can be found in Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Western Governors University Accredited?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). At one point, WGU was accredited by four regional accrediting commissions at the same time, in part because it was founded by 19 state governors, representing a wide US geographical region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending a school that\u2019s fully accredited by a recognized accrediting body is fundamental to ensuring that you\u2019ll be getting a widely accepted education from a reputable school. It also guarantees that your college degree will be honored by employers and that your credit hours will be eligible for transfer to other accredited schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Western Governors University Legit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Western Governors University is legit. Apart from Western Governors University\u2019s accreditation status, this school has collected some impressive awards. It has been designated, year after year, as a best value school designee, providing students a good return on investment (ROI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has also been recognized repeatedly for excellence in distance learning by the United States Distance Learning Association and awarded for outstanding performance by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Student Reviews<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University reviews found on the Rate My Professors website give the school 3.3 stars out of 5 in overall quality. Positive reviews say that the online school is completely flexible and easily fits students\u2019 schedules. They also praise the flat-rate tuition and the possibility of going at their own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative reviews describe not-so-positive interactions with some faculty members. Some students also recommend getting an associate degree before enrolling in this school, as a way to not have to take as many courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Better Business Bureau Reviews and Complaints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the Better Business Bureau website, Western Governors University scores 1.54 out of 5 stars in customer reviews. These rankings should be taken with a grain of salt as they might not necessarily be a reflection of the majority of students\u2019 experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positive reviews mention good interactions with coordinators, mentors, and other faculty and their accessibility. A student also mentioned the fact that they were able to get a higher-paying position after completing their program at WGU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative reviews and student complaints include the inability to complete more courses per semester, the fact that some study material did not align with test questions, and that it sometimes takes too long to get the financial aid award letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rankings by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education can provide useful information for prospective students and serve as a way to compare different universities. They are two of the most respected college ranking bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University US News & World Report Ranking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University has not been ranked by US News & World Report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Times Higher Education Ranking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University has not been ranked by Times Higher Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Graduation Rate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University has an overall graduation rate of 64 percent<\/a>. This is a measure of the number of undergraduate students who have enrolled in this school and successfully completed their programs during the designated time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average graduation rate in the US is 46.2 percent<\/a> among students in two-year and four-year institutions, according to Education Data Initiative. This means that WGU\u2019s graduation rate is above average. This is probably a reflection of the school\u2019s online education model that was designed to fit the busy lives of working professionals. Students know that they can work as fast or as slow as they like or need, which is likely a high motivator for them to finish their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Admissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Applying to Western Governors University is easy. The only requirements are a completed admission form and official transcripts. Students in need of financial aid should also be sure to submit a FAFSA form. Students must meet with an enrollment counselor to find out if their program has any additional admission requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University Acceptance Rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Western Governors University has an acceptance rate of 100 percent. In other words, it has an open-admission policy, which means that all students who apply are accepted, assuming that they meet the minimum requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is translated into a very straightforward admission process, which basically involves providing your high school transcript or the equivalent. There is usually no requirement for certain skills or courses, recommendation letters, SAT or ACT scores, or essays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will You Get Into Western Governors University?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you will most likely get into Western Governors University because it has an open-admission policy. However, you still need to meet the minimum admissions requirements in order to be accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Apply to Western Governors University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Complete the online application.<\/strong> Your application is submitted through an online application form found in the WGU website. Depending on when you\u2019re enrolling, you might get the option not to pay the application fee, using a provided discount code.<\/li>
  2. Submit your official transcripts.<\/strong> Be sure to submit your official high school transcripts. You should also submit transcripts if you\u2019ve attended another postsecondary institution.<\/li>
  3. Apply for financial aid.<\/strong> If you plan to apply for financial aid, be sure to start the process early by filling out and submitting your FAFSA form.<\/li>
  4. Check for program-specific requirements. <\/strong>A few of the programs might have specific requirements for admission. Be sure to know what they are beforehand to make the application process easier.<\/li>
  5. Interview with an enrollment counselor.<\/strong> Enrollment counselors help students with any questions they might have about the school or their program, set the starting date for them, and act as a guide through the entire enrollment process.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Western Governors University Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Expense<\/th>\n Western Governors University Cost<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Western Governors University Undergraduate In-State Tuition and Fees<\/td>\n $7,452 per year<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition and Fees<\/td>\n $7,452 per year<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University Graduate In-State Tuition and Fees<\/td>\n $7,500 per year<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University Graduate Out-of-State Tuition and Fees<\/td>\n $7,500 per year<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University Books and Supplies<\/td>\n $200<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University On-Campus Room and Board<\/td>\n N\/A<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Western Governors University Off-Campus Room and Board<\/td>\n $6,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The average yearly tuition for online undergraduate programs is $7,452 at WGU. According to Education Data Initiative, the cost of an online bachelor\u2019s degree averages $51,091<\/a> in total, averaging $12,773 every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Compared to the national average, the Western Governors University’s cost is much lower, almost by half. WGU\u2019s different colleges might have program-specific tuition rates, which may alter the final total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cost of Living in Salt Lake City, Utah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Western Governors University\u2019s headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to PayScale, the cost of living there is two percent higher than the national average<\/a>. Median rent costs $1,263 per month, electricity costs around $154.58 per month, and gas prices average at $4.89 per gallon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Salt Lake City, the state\u2019s capital, offers many attractions and entertainment possibilities like basketball, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, five national parks, and several reputable ski resorts. It also ranks at 23rd in the list for the best places to live in the US<\/a> by US News & World Report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, this is an online school, so students can be based anywhere in the US. The average cost of living in the US is $2,061<\/a> for a single person, according to LivingCost.org That\u2019s more than twice the world average. The US is the world\u2019s eighth most expensive country to live in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Western Governors University Financial Aid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Western Governors University has many different types of financial aid available for students. These include scholarships and federal aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of these options include the Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Students in need of financial aid can apply for these types of programs to help get them through their studies without worries. They can use the aid to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks, technological equipment, and any other educational expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Western Governors University Scholarships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n