Understanding WGU Tuition Costs Per Semester

Western Governors University (WGU) offers a unique approach to higher education, particularly when it comes to tuition. Unlike traditional universities that charge per credit hour, WGU operates on a flat-rate tuition model for each six-month term. This competency-based education model can be advantageous for self-motivated students who want to accelerate their learning.

WGU's Flat-Rate Tuition Model

WGU's tuition is charged at a low flat rate each term and covers all coursework completed in that time. Each WGU term is six months long, and during that time, you can complete as many courses as you're able. Most universities charge tuition by credit hour-if you take more courses, you pay more money-but not WGU. Whether you complete 8 courses in a term or 20, your tuition won’t change. Tuition is paid by six-month term, not by credit.

Tuition Costs for Bachelor's Degrees

For most bachelor's degree programs, tuition ranges from $3,225 to $3,720 per six-month term. This flat-rate structure allows students to take as many courses as they can within a six-month term without incurring additional tuition fees. This can lead to significant savings for students who are able to accelerate their learning and complete their degree faster.

Tuition Costs for Master's Degrees

For graduate degree programs, tuition generally falls between $3,940 and $4,180 per term. Similar to the bachelor's degree programs, this flat-rate tuition covers all coursework completed within the six-month term.

Additional Costs to Consider

Remember that you may also have other expenses like textbooks, technology fees, or certification exams to budget for, depending on your program. While WGU's tuition model can be cost-effective, it's important to factor in these additional costs when planning your budget.

Read also: Affording Baylor University

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants

WGU offers a variety of ways to help make your tuition even more affordable. Grants, scholarships, and financial aid are based on a variety of factors. It's essential to explore any available financial aid, scholarships, and grants that you might qualify for to help offset the cost of your education.

Federal Financial Aid

WGU is approved to offer qualifying students federal financial aid in the form of Pell Grants and student loans. For a student who qualifies for federal financial aid, WGU’s infrastructure may significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

WGU-Funded Scholarships

The university also offers WGU-funded scholarships and accepts employer tuition reimbursement. Many WGU students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degrees even more affordable.

GI Bill® Benefits

All WGU degree programs are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for education benefits under the GI Bill®.

Accreditation

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU is notable for having received regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions at the same time-a unique distinction. For most students, both accreditations provide the legitimacy you need. Credits from either institution should transfer widely, and employers generally recognize both degrees.

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Comparing WGU to Other Universities

When considering WGU, it's helpful to compare its tuition model and costs with those of other universities.

University of the People (UoPeople)

Choosing between University of the People (UoPeople) and Western Governors University (WGU) means weighing two fundamentally different approaches to affordable online education. UoPeople pioneered tuition-free online education, charging only minimal assessment fees per course. WGU pioneered competency-based education at scale, using a flat-rate subscription model per six-month term. Both are accredited. Both serve global audiences. Neither is inherently "better"-they're different tools for different situations.

UoPeople operates on a tuition-free model, charging only for course assessments. The university relies on donations, partnerships, and volunteer faculty to keep costs minimal. WGU uses a subscription-style flat rate. You pay once per six-month term and can complete as many courses as you can during that time. The more you accelerate, the fewer terms you pay for. This model incentivizes self-paced acceleration but requires consistent momentum to maximize value.

UoPeople's total cost of $6,460 is significantly lower than WGU's approximately $20,025 average. However, the models work differently. UoPeople charges per course regardless of how long you take, while WGU's flat-rate model rewards students who can accelerate. If you complete your WGU degree faster than average, you pay less.

Nexford University

Nexford University was built specifically for working professionals who need genuine flexibility without sacrificing quality. Like UoPeople, they offer affordable pricing. Like WGU, they offer self-paced learning.

Read also: Paying for UTSA

Unlike UoPeople's 9-week terms or WGU's 6-month terms, Nexford offers monthly start dates and complete self-pacing. No term deadlines. No minimum progress requirements.

Competency-Based Education

Our programs are competency-based. That means you can complete most courses as fast as you master the material. The competency-based model at WGU allows you to move as quickly as you can master the material, and do your coursework on your schedule.

Every student’s journey to graduation is unique, which is why WGU utilizes a competency-based model for our programs. Students who already have a solid foundation of knowledge on a certain subject can finish more quickly. With no set class times or log-in times, students can complete coursework and assessments with more flexibility whenever works best for their schedule, potentially finishing their degree faster to save time and money.

Benefits of a Bachelor's Degree

Holding an undergraduate degree in a field that you’re interested in makes you eligible for higher salaries, increased job options, and new and fulfilling life experiences. Even better, a bachelor’s degree will help you get jobs and networking opportunities that will provide the foundation for the rest of your career and future promotions.

Research shows that 35% of job openings require at least a bachelor's degree. If you don't have a degree, you're limiting yourself to only about 30% of jobs available in the United States. Stats show that when you earn a bachelor's degree you can expect your yearly salary to increase about $29,000 per year.

Degree Programs at WGU

WGU offers a wide range of degree programs in various fields, including:

Business

B.S. Business Management
MBA (traditional, Healthcare Management, IT Management)
M.S. Accounting, M.S.

Information Technology

B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Cybersecurity, B.S. Software Engineering
M.S. Cybersecurity, M.S.

Teaching

B.A. degrees in various teaching fields
M.A. in Teaching, M.S.

Nursing and Healthcare

B.S. Nursing (for RNs), B.S. Health Information Management
M.S.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Program

Narrow down your field of interest. Do you want to be a teacher? Do you want to be a nurse? Are you more interested in business or technology?
Ask yourself what your dream job is. What is your dream profession? Is it to become a high school principal, or to design video games?
Research educational requirements for your dream career. If you want to be a teacher, you'll need to pursue teacher licensing programs. If you want to become a marketing manager, you'll need a business degree in marketing! It's important to get specific. For example, if you want to be a teacher, what kind of subject and grade do you want to teach? This will influence your options available for relevant degree programs. If you want to go into information technology, do you want to be doing the coding or managing teams?

Student Support

Every WGU student is assigned a Program Mentor from enrollment through graduation. WGU also provides Course Instructors (subject-matter experts) and Evaluators (faculty who assess competency). WGU's Program Mentors actively plan your term with you and maintain weekly contact.

WGU's Accessibility and Flexibility

Everything we do at Western Governors University is aimed at increasing accessibility and opportunity for each student, regardless of their background, motivations, or life situation. That focus helps produce success for our graduates.

WGU enrolls new students at the beginning of each month, launching a new term for those students. A term at WGU is 6 months long. What does this mean for you? You can start when you’re ready, rather than rushing (or waiting) for fall or spring enrollment.

With no set class times or log-in times, students can complete coursework and assessments with more flexibility whenever works best for their schedule, potentially finishing their degree faster to save time and money.

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