by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a WGU degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how WGU measures up.
WGU is ranked #448 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of A+ (top 5% for value). Within Utah, it ranks #3 of 21 for value.
Among the majors WGU offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | #1 of 4 |
| Learning Sciences | #1 of 2 |
| Instructional Technology | #1 of 2 |
| Educational Assessment | #1 of 3 |
| Computer Science / Programming | #2 of 12 |
| Data Modeling/Warehousing & Database Administration | #2 of 17 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | #3 of 24 |
| Computer Systems Networking | #3 of 24 |
| Networking / Security | #3 of 24 |
| System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager | #3 of 13 |
Below is the detailed WGU value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Western Governors University is ranked #4 out of #22 in Utah for quality and #3 out of #21 for Utah value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the WGU financial aid page to be sure.
Western Governors University is ranked #448 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Compared to its peers, Western Governors University is underpriced for the quality of education it provides, earning it a great value recognition.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at WGU costs about $14,962. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $59,848 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $16,783 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $12,548 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $14,962 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,848 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the WGU net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What WGU costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a WGU degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $67,132 | — | — |
| All Students | $59,848 | #448 | A+ |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $50,192 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $67,132 | — | — |
| All Students | $59,848 | #3 | A |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $50,192 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at WGU shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $9,358 |
| $30K–$48K | $9,848 |
| $48K–$75K | $10,666 |
| $75K–$110K | $13,731 |
| Over $110K | $14,297 |
About 43% of WGU undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $5,054 per year. Get more details on the WGU financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average WGU cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.