An online university empowering individuals.
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 $11,000 just 2 years after graduation1. Plus, employers have a 97% satisfaction rate with WGU grads2.
Supporting Students Impacted by Adverse Weather
WGU is working to ensure students and faculty who are being hit with devastating weather conditions around the country, particularly in Texas, have the things they need. If you are a student living in Texas, you can reach out to your Program Mentor to see how WGU can help you during this time. One way we are supporting is by offering hotspot internet access. You can apply here. We are also inviting others to make a donation to help students affected by the storms.
$4 million in Resiliency Grants now available.
At WGU, our goal is to help as many students as possible get the education they deserve. We're offering over $4 million in Resiliency Grants and other scholarships to students in 2021 so they can earn the degrees that will change lives. WGU's tuition is already designed to be affordable, with no hidden fees and costs per-term instead of per-credit. A scholarship can make it even more affordable to help more students earn their degree. You can be one of the many students who get a scholarship that will help you afford higher education.
A better educational pathway to student success.
“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
Beyond barriers with NBC.
WGU is teaming up with Today.com and NBC Universal to raise awareness of the inequalities in access to higher education with the Beyond Barriers campaign. Learn more about how we are striving to provide access to higher education, and meet some of our students who have overcome barriers.
Frequently asked questions about our program options.
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 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 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.
Next Start Date
Apr 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!
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 $11,800 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 less than three years.
2 In a 2019 Harris Poll survey of 300 employers of WGU graduates, 97% said their WGU grads meet or exceed expectations.