Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Governors University is a private online college. Western Governors University has an open admissions policy.
Return on educational investment at Western Governors University is in the top 10% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $48,210 10 years after enrolling, 22nd among online schools, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Governors University bachelor students earn 15% more than the national average.
Western Governors University’s median net annual cost of $9,969 and average years to graduate of 4.7 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Governors University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Business Administration, Education, Accounting, Special Education, Computer science - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$9,969
Average years to graduate
4.7
General Marketing Ops
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 0.78
Marketing
Rank: #8
Economic score: 1.74
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #6
Economic score: 3
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Western Governors University - Business Administration, Registered Nursing, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational media design, Health Administrative Services, Education (subject specific) - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.09
Computer software
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.1
Information Systems Mgmt.
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.11
ESL
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.13
Educ. Administration
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.16
Special Education
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.2
Accounting
Rank: #5
Economic score: 0.2
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.7 years. 54% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Western Governors University is 3% higher than the state average, and 4% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Western Governors University, Pell Grant recipients represent 33% of the measured graduating class, 2% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Governors University graduates within 4.9 years.
Western Governors University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Governors University’s economic mobility score of 19.8 is calculated by adjusting the 3.05 economic score of lower-income students by the 33% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Governors University’s EMS of 19.8 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Governors University pays $9,969 a year, $3,901 less than the $13,870 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $9,969
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Governors University, 47% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $9,969 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 67% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,072. This is 13% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,072
Pell grants
$4,078
State grants
$2,278
Institutional grants
$1,398
Full time
100%
83%
Female
69%
59%
First time
1%
59%
In-state
8%
68%
1st generation
47%
35%
White
61%
52%
Black
10%
14%
Hispanic
11%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
1%
1.6%
Pacific Islander
1%
0.3%
Other
14%
12%