At $10,442/yr net price, Western Governors University graduates earn $60,615/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,615/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,442 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,768 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,615/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,615/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,116 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,358/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,848/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,666/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,731/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,297/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $98,156 | $11,526 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $90,998 | $12,696 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $86,988 | $13,665 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $75,430 | $9,470 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $74,056 | $16,625 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $20,671 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $70,169 | $13,165 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $68,778 | |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Bachelor | $63,855 | |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Bachelor | $62,409 | $20,346 |
The Risk Factor
50.9% of students at Western Governors University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Western Governors University gives you a strong financial return for a private-nonprofit school. You graduate with about $11,000 in median debt while earning a median $60,615 a decade in, so your debt load stays well below your first-year pay. That gap is the core reason WGU works: low cost, competency-based online delivery, and a net price near $10,000 that stays cheaper than most four-year privates.
Nursing is your safest bet. A bachelor's in registered nursing pays $75,430 against under $10,000 in debt, the best cost-to-earnings ratio on this list. Computer and information sciences pays nearly as much at $74,056, though you borrow more to get there. Sales and marketing clears $71,000 but comes with the heaviest debt of the top programs, so the margin narrows. Health prep and medical informatics land in the low $60,000s and still beat the campus-wide median.
The real risk here is finishing. Half of students graduate, and only about 62% return after year one. The self-paced online format that keeps costs down also leaves you on your own, and if you drop out you carry debt with no degree to pay it back. That is the failure mode to watch, not the price.
Net price barely moves by income until you cross $75,000, where it jumps from roughly $10,700 to $13,700 and up. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $10,000 a year. Higher earners pay more but still land in reasonable territory for a private school.
WGU fits you if you are a working adult who can self-direct, especially toward nursing or IT. Look elsewhere if you need structure, cohorts, or in-person support to stay enrolled, because the low price only pays off if you actually graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Governors University worth the cost?
Western Governors University offers decent value with a low net price of $10,442 annually and median debt of just $11,116. However, the 51% graduation rate and $60,615 average earnings after 10 years suggest mixed results that vary significantly by program.
What are the highest paying majors at Western Governors University?
Computer and IT programs at Western Governors University show strong ROI, with IT administration graduates earning $98,156 and information systems graduates making $90,998. Nursing programs also perform well, with some graduates earning $86,988.
How much debt do Western Governors University graduates have?
Western Governors University graduates carry relatively low debt loads with a median of $11,116. The school's competency-based model and affordable tuition help keep borrowing manageable compared to traditional universities.
Does Western Governors University have good job outcomes?
Western Governors University job outcomes depend heavily on your major. Technology and nursing graduates see strong earnings, but the overall 51% graduation rate indicates many students struggle to complete their programs.