Outcomes That Endure: WGU’s FY 2025 Annual Report
At WGU, we believe education is the surest path to opportunity. Yet for too many, opportunity remains out of reach. That’s why we’re reinventing what education can be—deeply personal, workforce-aligned, and accessible to all.
From the beginning, innovation has been central to our identity. Not innovation for its own sake, but for its impact: removing barriers, unlocking individuals’ limitless potential, and helping learners thrive in work and in life. But innovation alone isn’t enough. To truly deliver on our mission, we must pair new ideas with accountability—ensuring that the promises we make are the promises we keep. Grounded in transparency, accountability is how we measure the real impact of innovation on learners’ lives.
This past year, as technology reshaped industries, employer expectations shifted, and higher education faced growing scrutiny over cost and outcomes, the stakes for learners couldn't have been higher. As learners endeavor to navigate these changing times, our Annual Report—now aligned to WGU’s fiscal and academic year to provide consistency across audiences—offers a clear view of how we are advancing our mission: showcasing the outcomes our graduates achieve, the innovations we’re championing, and the progress we’re making toward building a talent economy that works for everyone.
Education for a Changing World
Everything we do at WGU is designed to enhance our students’ success. We hold ourselves accountable not only to delivering strong results for our students—including completion, graduate return, and equity in access and attainment—but also for creating broader influence through our ecosystem of impact-driven organizations. Together, this information provides a more complete picture of the value we're delivering.
Highlights from the FY 2025 Annual Report
Scaling Our Impact – WGU awarded 59,358 degrees to 58,625 graduates, bringing our alumni network to 390,244 since 1997. Our 2024 Harris Poll Graduate Study shows the value of those degrees: 94% of recent WGU grads are employed, with 84% working in their field of choice.
High Satisfaction – Surveys conducted by Harris in 2024 showed that 95% of alumni would choose WGU again. Employers also validated our learning model: 100% of the 300 employers surveyed said WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs, with 86% rating them as “very” or “extremely” prepared.
Strong ROI – Our programs proved to be not only affordable but valuable: FY22 graduates experienced an average Factor Graduate Return of 36x, meaning a WGU degree pays for itself many times over across a career. Outcomes like these led to WGU being recognized as an “Opportunity University” by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education.
Expanded Pathways – This year we launched new work-based pathways, enabling 1,750 future teachers to earn credit for the skills they master on the job. Our new nonprofit division, Craft Education, expanded our ability to develop, launch, and scale work-based and apprentice-based learning across the sector through 20 new partnerships.
Readiness and Short-term Offerings – To meet more students where they are, we added to our collection of stackable, short-term certificates, and doubled down on readiness offerings that enable learners with less experience to master essential skills needed to reach graduation. Nearly 6,000 students completed our new Introductory Term, with 91% of those who matriculate into a degree program persisting to a second term.
Innovative Financing Models – We reimagined how education can be financed by launching the Reinvesting in Nursing Education and Workforce (ReNEW) Fund, a $100 million philanthropic partnership with Social Finance that unlocks access for aspiring nurses through zero-interest loans. Employers play a key role by paying into the Fund upon the hire and retention of graduates with a WGU BSN degree, covering loan repayment obligations during employment. In FY25, we welcomed our first employer partner, Central Health, secured more than $22 million in funding commitments and awarded more than $4 million to nearly 300 students in our Bachelor of Science – Prelicensure degree program.
Looking Ahead
At WGU, progress is never just about numbers—it’s about the lives transformed and the opportunities created. The results shared in this annual report reflect both the responsibility we carry to our students and the broader role we play in shaping a more equitable talent economy. As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation while holding ourselves accountable to outcomes that matter—so that every learner, regardless of where they begin, can chart a path to opportunity and success.
I invite you to explore the report, learn more about our progress, and join us in building a stronger, more talent economy.
