Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a nonprofit, fully online university offering accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees designed for working adults. Its competency-based model lets students move through courses as soon as they demonstrate mastery, so many finish faster than at a traditional college; the median time to a bachelor’s degree is about two years. Tuition is a flat rate per term rather than per credit, and there are no set class times, deadlines or due dates.

WGU was founded in the 1990s by a group of U.S. governors seeking a more flexible, affordable path to a degree. Programs are built with input from industry experts, and each student works with course instructors, enrollment counselors and a program mentor who help keep them on track. The university has more than 400,000 graduates and reports high employer satisfaction and strong salary gains for alumni two years after graduating.

What to Know

• WGU awarded more than $65 million in scholarships to over 23,000 students in fiscal year 2025.
• Prospective students can take a quiz to identify a program and career path.
• Enrollment counselors specialize by college and answer questions with no obligation.
• The university is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.