Improving Quality
An online education that gives students the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers and their lives.
Expanding Access
We are focused on breaking down financial, distance, learning, and all other barriers to ensure that everyone has access to education.
Delivering Outcomes
Students see an average salary increase of over $12,000 just 2 years after graduation1. Plus, employers have a 98% satisfaction rate with WGU grads2.
Drive change in your community.
Apply for the $5,000 WGU Leadership Scholarship.
Would you like to make a real difference at work and within your local community? If you’re ready to lead, we’re ready to help with the WGU Leadership Scholarship. Valued at up to $5,000, the scholarship can be applied toward any of our respected bachelor’s or master’s degrees in business, healthcare, education, and IT. Now is the time to change your life, so you can help change the lives of others.
You could too. Choose WGU for your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Going back to school is a huge investment in your future—which is why you should choose your alma mater wisely. At WGU, you get a respected, accredited degree for about half the cost of other universities. You also get a flexible program where you can complete courses, take tests, and even graduate on your own schedule. And when you factor in numerous available scholarships like our $2,500 Back to School opportunity, it just adds up. Get started on your future today.
WGU is celebrating 250,000 graduates! Since 1997, we've seen thousands of students reach their educational goals and we are honored to be a part of their story. Congratulations to each and every one of our grads!
A Better Educational Pathway to Student Success
"I felt like I was probably the only student they had. I know I wasn't, but they learned a lot about my personal story...and that impacts you, the way you learn, interpret criticism. So for people to take the time to get to know you as a person, that was huge. It was nothing but encouragement."
—Ginger Parker-Southland, WGU Graduate
"I am able to affect [students] in a positive way because of the classes that I was taking."
—Zhane Dill, Teacher and Founder, Anointed in Motion
"If something isn't working out, move on to the next thing. But don't ever give up."
—Rashaan Green, Principal Service Engineering Manager Microsoft
“I am applying almost everything I learned in my MBA to what I'm doing in my day-to-day at Nintendo."
—Jonathan Concepcion, Service Desk Manager, Nintendo of America
"If it wasn't for WGU I would not have been able to go back for my master's with working full-time and having small kids."
—Sarah Aronack, Former Director of Nursing, Arkansas Hospital
Our Grads Work at Industry Leading Companies
Providing Accessible Education
At WGU, we believe that while talent is universal, access to opportunity is not. That's why we have made a commitment to increase access to education, making it possible for individuals to improve their lives and the lives of their families by earning a college degree online. To help reach this goal, we are offering the Online Access Scholarship.
WGU has partnered with T-Mobile for the Online Access scholarship to provide the coverage, capacity, and devices needed to empower students to participate in higher education online. Learn more about our accessibility initiatives and the ways WGU is breaking barriers in education below.
Frequently asked questions about WGU programs.
Is this program truly "at your own pace"?
WGU offers flexible pacing, meaning you can move through courses at a pace that meets your learning style and knowledge level. Students can go as fast as they can but not as slowly. Students are required to complete a minimum number of competency units per term to meet on-time progress. However, if you choose to study at 3 am daily, that we can accommodate.
Do all my existing credits transfer to WGU?
WGU has a generous transfer policy. Our transcripts department can accept official copies of transcripts from your previous educational institutions for a course-by-course evaluation that compares the context of your courses to those in our programs, to tell you what is comparable and transferable.
How quickly can you finish the program?
Your personal progress will be determined by the extent of your transfer units, your time commitment, and your determination to proceed at a faster rate. Traditionally, without an associate’s degree or equivalent, it will take 2 to 2.5 years. Master's degree programs are designed to be completed within 2 years. However, we work on a competency-based model, which gives you credit for passing assessments and proving you can perform a task or understand a course of study proficiently.
Can you skip ahead if you get done early?
Yes! If you are able to complete the minimum requirement before your term is over, you can add more courses, with no tuition increase.
Does WGU offer financial aid?
WGU is approved to offer federal student aid. You will need to apply using the FAFSA, which is used to determine your eligibility for aid. WGU’s FAFSA school code is 033394.
Is WGU accredited?
Yes! WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the highest form of accreditation.
How do WGU courses compare to classes in traditional schools?
WGU offers competency-based education. Competency-based learning means our online degrees are based on real-world competencies as opposed to seat time or credit hours. Our focus is on ensuring you possess the skills and knowledge you need to be successful, not whether you’ve attended class or not. If you already have knowledge in an area a course covers, you’ll be able to draw upon this experience to complete assessments faster, ultimately saving you both time and money.
Does WGU offer job placement?
WGU students and alumni have access to career services which include professional development, career exploration, and career planning. WGU also has partner employers who share full-time, part-time, and paid internship opportunities.
What will be needed for admissions?
It depends on the program you are interested in pursuing. Some programs will have additional requirements however, the general admissions process is as follows:
- Complete the enrollment application
- Contact Enrollment at 866-225-5948 to go over the program and admissions process specific to your desired degree program
- Submit official transcripts
- If desired, complete FAFSA form for financial aid
Are scholarships available?
Scholarships are available for new WGU students and returning graduates. This video shows more about scholarship opportunities and how they can help you pay for school. Get information on:
- How to apply
- Eligibility requirements
- Examples of scholarships
- What happens after you apply
- FAQs
- Other financial aid options
How soon can I start?
The enrollment process can take approximately 4-6 weeks. Start dates are the first of each month once enrollment has been completed.
Will another school or employer accept my WGU degree?
Every school sets its own guidelines however, accreditation plays a big part in recognition and acceptance. WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the highest form of accreditation. WGU graduates go on to continue their education at many colleges and universities. When WGU alumni self-report acceptance into graduate or doctorate programs, we add the university to a list so you can see where WGU graduates are continuing to pursue higher education.
How does tuition work at WGU?
WGU's tuition is a flat rate that is charged every six months. You can take as many courses as you are able in that six-month term—with no extra cost. You simply pay for the term and do as much work as you can or want to during that time. This means that finishing faster helps you save money—a major benefit you won't find at other schools.
How will I learn at WGU?
At WGU we use competency-based education, which measures how well you know the material instead of time you spend in a class. You do assignments and coursework whenever your schedule allows, and when you feel ready you take an assessment that demonstrates your mastery of the material. If you pass, you move on to the next course!
Frequently asked questions about online learning.
What is the best online college?
We may be biased, but we believe WGU is truly the best online college. Our unique education model, affordable tuition, and complete flexibility mean that students are truly in charge of their own education.
What can I do with an online degree?
An online degree helps you learn skills and earn credentials that will boost your résumé and prepare you for a meaningful career. Either a bachelor's or master's degree will be key in helping you be prepared for a new job, promotion, or salary increase. The specific jobs you can be qualified for with an online degree will depend on the specific degree you pursue.
How is an online college different from an on-campus college?
An accredited online college offers the same valuable and respected degrees that an on-campus college offers. The main difference is that online colleges offer you flexibility in your program. For example, you don't have to go to campus and sit in a classroom. You can move faster through courses. You are largely independent in your education. These are benefits that help many students pursue degrees who may not be able to attend an on-campus college.
How long does it take to complete an online degree?
It depends on the type of degree and online school you choose. Some online bachelor's degree programs will take 4+ years, and some online master's degrees will take 2+ years. However, WGU is designed to help students accelerate their online degrees. Our unique education model allows students to move through courses as quickly as they can master the material. This means that on average students finish bachelor's degree programs in three years or less, and master's degree programs in 18 months or less.
Are online universities expensive?
Typically online universities are able to offer less expensive tuition compared to brick and mortar universities. This is often because there are less building maintenance requirements, staffing needs, living expenses for students, etc. At WGU for example, tuition for an undergraduate program is approximately $3,500 for a six-month term. This is much lower than most online and traditional degree programs.
Our online university degree programs start on the first of every month, all year long.
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
Four online colleges. 60+ flexible degree program options. One highly respected national university.
Our commitment to your success starts with our focus on four high-demand fields: K–12 teaching and education, nursing and healthcare, information technology, and business. Every degree program at WGU is designed to fit a high-growth, highly rewarding career path. Which college fits you?
What degrees does WGU have to offer? View all our online college degree programs.
1 WGU graduates, on average, increase their annual income by $12,300 within two years of graduation. With an average cost of $15,165 for a bachelor's degree, the average return on investment for a WGU degree is less than two years.
2 In a 2020 Harris Poll survey of 300 employers of WGU graduates, 98% said their WGU grads meet or exceed expectations.