Western Governors University

Non-profit
Public
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):
Required
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*: Yes
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