Western Governors University: Enrollment Figures And Insights

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university based in Millcreek, Utah, with a suburban campus in Salt Lake City. It was founded in 1997 by 19 US governors and is known for its online competency-based learning model. WGU offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a total enrollment of over 100,000 students, making it a large institution. The university has a unique structure, with a flat rate charged per six-month term, allowing students to complete as many courses as possible within that period.

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university with a large undergraduate enrollment of over 100,000 students

WGU's undergraduate enrollment numbers are impressive, with figures ranging from 104,919 to 156,935 students across different sources. The university's total enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students, is even higher, with one source citing a figure of 147,866 students. This makes WGU one of the largest private universities in the country.

The university's large enrollment can be attributed to its flexible and innovative approach to higher education. WGU is known for its online, competency-based learning model, which allows students to progress through their courses at their own pace. This model has proven attractive to non-traditional students, including working professionals and adult learners, who make up a significant portion of WGU's student body.

In addition to its large enrollment, WGU also boasts a high graduation rate. The university's graduation rate is reported to be between 49% and 64%, which is commendable given the university's focus on flexible and self-paced learning. WGU's innovative approach to education has earned it a reputation as a forward-thinking and accessible institution, committed to increasing opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

WGU's large enrollment and high graduation rate are testaments to the university's success in providing a unique and flexible educational experience. The university's online model, combined with its focus on competency-based learning, has made it a popular choice for students seeking a non-traditional path to a degree. With its high graduation rate and positive alumni outcomes, WGU has established itself as a leading private online university.

WGU offers a range of bachelor's and master's degree programs, with popular majors including nursing, business, and elementary education

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university based in Millcreek, Utah, with a large number of enrolled students. In 2022, WGU had a total of 156,935 students enrolled, with an undergraduate enrollment of 107,952. The university offers a range of bachelor's and master's degree programs, with 31 bachelor's degrees and 63 bachelor's, master's, and post-baccalaureate degree programs offered as of October 2022.

Popular majors at WGU include nursing, business, and elementary education. In 2022, the most common bachelor's degree concentration was Registered Nursing, with 8,503 degrees awarded. General Business Administration & Management was the second most common, with 2,594 degrees awarded, followed by Elementary Education & Teaching, with 1,802 degrees.

WGU's nursing programs include both bachelor's and master's degrees, such as Nursing (RN-to-BSN online), Nursing (Prelicensure), and Nursing Leadership and Management. Business programs include bachelor's degrees in Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Information Technology Management, as well as master's degrees like the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MBA Information Technology Management. For elementary education, WGU offers bachelor's degrees like Elementary Education – B.A. and master's degrees like Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.

In addition to these popular majors, WGU also offers a variety of other degree programs, including healthcare administration, accounting, communications, and information technology.

The university has a unique competency-based learning model, allowing students to progress as they master the material

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university based in Millcreek, Utah. It has a unique learning model that allows students to progress as they master the material. This model, known as a competency-based learning model, provides advanced education for working professionals.

The competency-based approach means that students can move through courses as soon as they can prove they have mastered the material. This means that, rather than advancing only when the semester or term ends, students can progress as quickly as they are able to learn and understand the course content. This flexible pacing means that students can move through courses at a rate that suits their learning style and existing knowledge level.

This model has several benefits for students. Firstly, it allows them to save money, as they pay one flat rate per six-month term and can take as many courses as they like within that time. Secondly, it enables them to finish their degrees faster, which can be a major advantage when applying for jobs or further study. Indeed, some students at WGU have earned their master's degrees in just six months.

WGU was one of the first accredited schools to use the competency-based approach, and its success has inspired other universities to follow suit. The university assesses students using performance-based and objective assessments. Performance-based assessments usually involve submitting written assignments, while objective assessments take the form of exams.

WGU's innovative learning model has been a key factor in the university's overall success. With over 300,000 graduates, WGU has a 98% employer satisfaction rate, and its students see an average salary increase of $22,200 just two years after graduating.

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has a high graduation rate compared to similar institutions

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university based in Millcreek, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1997 by 19 US governors, who each committed $100,000 towards the launch of the new competency-based university. WGU has no physical campus and does not participate in intercollegiate sports.

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), an institutional accreditation body of colleges and universities in a seven-state region that includes WGU's headquarters in Utah. WGU also has the distinction of being the only university to have received regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions at the same time.

The NWCCU accreditation is important because it assures students of a standard level of quality in education and services, and it means that credits will transfer to most other accredited institutions. It also ensures that degrees will be recognised and respected by other colleges and employers.

WGU has a high graduation rate compared to similar institutions. The US Department of Education College Scorecard lists the graduation rate at WGU as 54%, while the internally-tracked graduation rate for undergraduate students as reported by the university is 50%. In 2022, 32% of students graduated within 100% of the normal time, 47% within 150%, and 52% within 200%. In comparison, the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 73%.

As of December 31, 2020, WGU had 129,169 currently enrolled students and more than 214,194 people had graduated from the institution. The median age of WGU students is 37, and the student body is predominantly female (65%).

The average net price for students after grants and loans is around $9,000, with many students receiving financial aid

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university based in Millcreek, Utah, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 107,952 as of 2024. The university offers 31 bachelor's degrees and has an average graduation rate of 64%. The student-faculty ratio is 42:1 and tuition and fees for students are $7,162.

WGU offers federal financial aid to its students, including Pell Grants, which do not need to be repaid and are available to students with the greatest need. In addition, WGU students may be eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which also does not need to be repaid. The university also offers federal student loans, including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans for graduate and professional students or their parents.

WGU has a Responsible Borrowing Initiative and offers scholarships and grants to help reduce the financial burden on its students. The university is also approved for federal financial aid in the form of Pell Grants and student loans. In 2023, WGU awarded its students over $28 million in scholarships and grants.

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