New Study by Gallup, WGU Texas Graduates Have Great Jobs and Great Lives

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gallup has released the results of a new study that compares the satisfaction and overall well-being of WGU Texas’ parent university, Western Governors University (WGU) graduates with graduates from other institutions in the U.S. For the third year, the results demonstrate that WGU graduates are more likely to have the jobs they want, feel engaged at work, and have an emotional attachment to the university.

The findings were released Wednesday at Gallup headquarters in Washington, D.C., to media, policymakers, and leaders in higher education and workforce development. Joining a panel discussion led by Brandon Busteed, Gallup’s Executive Director, Education and Workforce Development, were Louis Soares, Vice President, Strategy, Research and Advancement, American Council on Education; Cheryl Oldham, Vice President of Education Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Scott Pulsipher, President, WGU; and Kurt Gunnell, Director, Institutional Research, WGU.

According to the study:

• The employment rate for WGU alumni who have graduated within the last five years—81 percent—outdistances the national average of 74 percent.
• WGU graduates are more likely to be engaged employees—15 percent higher than the national average.
• WGU graduates said their experience was worth the cost—73 percent compared to 38 percent.
• WGU alumni are nearly twice as likely as graduates of other institutions to be thriving in all five elements of well-being—purpose, social, financial, community, and physical.
• WGU alumni are almost twice as likely to be emotionally attached to their university than alumni from other universities—demonstrating that personal connections are possible in distance learning.

“Another important part of the study focused on the unique support WGU Texas offers its military service members and veterans,” said WGU Texas Chancellor Veronica Vargas Stidvent. “WGU Texas has been recognized as military-friendly, and Gallup found our military and veteran graduates surpassed their peers nationally on several metrics—70 percent strongly agreed their education was worth the cost, 68 percent felt WGU was the perfect school for people like them and 45 percent strongly agreed our university is passionate about their long-term success. We’re proud we are able to support their unique educational needs.”

“WGU grads are twice as likely than other college graduates to say they had a mentor who encouraged their goals and dreams,” said Brandon Busteed. “Given that Gallup has found this to be the single strongest element linked to long-term success in career and life, it's a hugely positive outcome. It’s not about simply having an advisor who provides course selection tips. WGU grads are being inspired and encouraged around their life goals and dreams.”

The survey, which included 2,700 WGU graduates, compared the WGU responses to the national data included in the Gallup-Purdue Index. Gallup and Purdue developed the index to examine the long-term success of graduates as they pursue a good job and a better life. The index provides insight into the relationship between the college experience and whether college graduates have great jobs and great lives.

View the Gallup Report here.