Western Governors Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Western Governors University is a private research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, enrolling about 155,088 students. Western Governors University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $8,658 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $60,615 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,658
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,548 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 155,088 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 46.18%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 47.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 74.6%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 225,309
- Room & Board: $8,100 annual estimate
Western Governors University: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Governors University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Governors University?
Western Governors University is located in Salt Lake City, UT (ZIP 84107).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Western Governors University public or private?
Western Governors University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Western Governors University cost?
Published tuition: $8,658.
Average net price after aid: $12,548.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,064 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,436 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,578 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $14,824 |
| $110,001+ | $12,734 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,632.
How big is Western Governors University?
Total enrollment: 155,088 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 225,309 students.
Graduate enrollment: 55,120 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Governors University?
150%-time completion rate: 46.18%.
First-year retention: 64.6%.
What do graduates of Western Governors University earn?
Median earnings: $69,572 six years after entry; $60,615 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $11,116.
39.42% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Governors University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (5,919 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (5,592 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (5,296 completions)
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance (3,702 completions)
- Learning Sciences (3,267 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (2,917 completions)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management (2,710 completions)
- Accounting (1,706 completions)
- Educational/Instructional Technology (1,655 completions)
- Nursing Administration (1,633 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Governors University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 46.18%; median earnings $60,615 at 10 years; net price $12,548. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,658
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Governors University was $8,658.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,548
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Governors University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,548.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$50,192 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,548 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$34,632 4-Year Tuition
$8,100 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$16,958 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$67,832 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Governors University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
39.42% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
43.23% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Governors University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Governors University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,070 | $6,070 | $12,349 |
| 2014 | $6,070 | $6,070 | $10,431 |
| 2015 | $6,070 | $6,070 | $9,862 |
| 2016 | $6,070 | $6,070 | $10,957 |
| 2017 | $6,070 | $6,070 | — |
| 2018 | $6,670 | $6,670 | — |
| 2019 | $6,670 | $6,670 | $9,805 |
| 2020 | $6,670 | $6,670 | $9,969 |
| 2021 | $7,452 | $7,452 | $11,835 |
| 2022 | $8,010 | $8,010 | $10,580 |
| 2023 | $8,300 | $8,300 | $10,442 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Governors University reported total enrollment of about 155,088 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (50.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.6%), and Black or African American (14.3%). About 39.42% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 47.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Governors University in 2024 is 155,088 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 225,309 students. Graduate enrollment is about 55,120 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
64.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 50.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
33.07% 100% Completion Time
46.18% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 33.07% of students graduating from Western Governors University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 50% male / 50% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 11% male / 89% female
- Curriculum and Instruction: 13% male / 87% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Governors University.
Return on Investment
$11,116 Median Student Debt
$60,615 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
18.34% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1107.66% Return on Investment
1.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Governors University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 45 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 5,919 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 5,592 completions
3. Curriculum and Instruction: 5,296 completions
4. Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance: 3,702 completions
5. Learning Sciences: 3,267 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 2,917 completions
7. Health/Health Care Administration/Management: 2,710 completions
8. Accounting: 1,706 completions
9. Educational/Instructional Technology: 1,655 completions
Most popular programs at Western Governors University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Governors University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Governors University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,375
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $2,776
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Governors University is a private non-profit institution located in Salt Lake City, UT, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Curriculum and Instruction. Enrollment is approximately 155,088 students. Student body composition includes White (50.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.6%), Black or African American (14.3%). The 150%-time completion rate is 46.18%. Approximately 39.42% of students receive Pell Grants. About 47.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Western Governors University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Governors University located?
Western Governors University is located in Salt Lake City, UT.
How much does Western Governors University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,658 and average net price is $12,548 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $8,100 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Governors University?
Western Governors University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 225,309 students, White (50.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Governors University?
About 47.1% of students at Western Governors University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Western Governors University earn?
Median earnings are $69,572 six years after entry and $60,615 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Governors University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 46.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Governors University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $11,116.
Is Western Governors University public or private?
Western Governors University is a private nonprofit institution located in Salt Lake City, UT.
Is Western Governors University an HBCU?
No. Western Governors University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Governors University a tribal college?
No. Western Governors University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Western Governors University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Western Governors University does not meet that proxy (reported share 15.6%).
Is Western Governors University religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Western Governors University in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Utah college costs
- Utah colleges by ROI
- Salt Lake City, Utah city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Utah
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.