Salt Lake City, UT · Private University
Is Western Governors University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,615
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,300
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,300
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$33,200
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
7.30x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
1.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$11,116
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,442
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Western Governors University graduates earn $15,615 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Western Governors University ranked by graduate earnings
37 graduates
1,651 graduates
693 graduates
11,263 graduates
67 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Western Governors University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Western Governors University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Software and Media Applications: $95,292) and the lowest (Education, General: $41,251) is $54,041/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media ApplicationsBest ROI(1yr data) | $95,292 | 11.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $93,944 | 11.3x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $92,416 | 11.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,143 | 10.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $83,860 | 10.1x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $81,347 | 9.8x |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | $77,929 | 9.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $72,056 | 8.7x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $66,651 | 8.0x |
| Marketing | $61,805 | 7.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,734 | 7.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,589 | 5.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,942 | 5.3x |
| Education, GeneralLowest | $41,251 | 5.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Western Governors University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $60,615 10 years after starting, $15,615 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 1.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.