Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Western Governors University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,658/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,658/yr |
| Average net price | $12,548/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $50,192 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,615 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $11,116 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $118 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 46.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 155,088 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $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 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Western Governors University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $97,114 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $83,654 | B+ |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $129,303 | A |
| Accounting | $75,767 | B |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $82,644 | B |
| Computer Science | $83,860 | A |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $108,836 | B+ |
| Special Education and Teaching | $52,090 | C+ |
| Marketing | $71,431 | B |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $52,284 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Western Governors University is $8,658/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,548/year, or roughly $50,192 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,064/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $12,734/year.
The median graduate leaves with $11,116 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $118 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $60,615 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.23 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 58.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 155,088 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 39.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,375 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (this school) | 75 | $12,548 | $60,615 |
| Brigham Young University | 94 | $15,564 | $75,790 |
| New York University | 84 | $37,050 | $82,509 |
| Syracuse University | 76 | $38,793 | $79,164 |
| Westminster University | 70 | $27,094 | $66,215 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 37 | $36,708 | $50,318 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Western Governors University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $12,548 per year ($50,192 over four years), graduates earn a median of $60,615 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 7.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 46.2% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $11,116 is very manageable against $60,615 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.