An online university created to change your life.
Surprisingly Affordable
Graduate with less student debt—or none at all1.
By going faster, you save even more.
Student Obsessed
Personalized, one-on-one faculty support.
Online university education to fit modern life.
Unmatched Results
97% employer satisfaction with WGU grads2.
A degree that can pay for itself faster3.
Any time is back-to-school time at WGU.
Back to School Scholarship. Apply by September 30, 2019.
For a limited time, the $2,000 Back to School Scholarship is one more way WGU is removing the barriers between you and your degree.
And now is the perfect time to get started.
Programs begin the first of each month. Our low, flat-rate tuition is only about $7,600 per year—or less. And our flexible, online format lets you complete most coursework any time or place that fits your schedule.
Accredited. Recognized. Respected.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities first accredited WGU in 2003 and reaffirmed our accreditation in 2016, noting WGU's “institution-wide focus on helping students succeed.”
University Research & Review has named WGU a Best Value School four years running, saying: “Every adult considering enrolling in an online degree program should take a close look at WGU, one of the most innovative schools we’ve seen.”
WGU's Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
The teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU Teachers College have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026.
The bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791).
WGU's College of Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation association for business education worldwide.
“I’m impressed by the results in places like Western Governors University. Its low-cost online programs rely on competency-based progression, not class time or credit hours.”
—Bill Gates, Microsoft Founder
Proving the naysayers wrong.
“I remember being in a class one day and the teacher told me, ‘You’re just not going to amount to anything—ever—in life.”
What do you do when the odds seem stacked against you, and even the people who are supposed to believe in you fail to give you the support you need? Rashaan Green found the inspiration he needed to enroll in a bachelor's degree program at WGU—and then in a master's program!
Find out how he did it—and read about 10 other highly successful people you've probably heard of who were once told, "You're not good enough."
WGU Frequently Asked Questions.
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 regionally 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 in 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.
Four online colleges. 60+ flexible degree programs. 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.
Next Start Date
Nov 1
Start the 1st of any month—as soon as you complete enrollment!
Apply FREE this weekOur 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!
¹ Since the launch of WGU's Responsible Borrowing Initiative in 2013, average borrowing per WGU student has decreased by more than 40%. Undergraduate students at WGU graduate with less than half the debt of the national average.
2 In a 2018 Harris Poll survey of 300 employers of WGU graduates, 97% said their WGU grads meet or exceed expectations.
3 WGU graduates, on average, increase their annual income by $12,600 within two years of graduation. With an average cost of $16,500 for a bachelor's degree, the average return on investment for a WGU degree is two to three years. Source: 2018 Harris Poll Online survey.