Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors. It provides competency-based higher education for working adults, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business, Education, Information Technology, and Health Professions, including Nursing.
The university operates across all 50 U.S. states and serves over 300,000 students. Its academic model is built around a flat-rate tuition per six-month term and one-on-one faculty mentorship, with flexible schedules designed to accommodate students who are employed full-time.
WGU's competency-based approach allows students to progress by demonstrating mastery of course material rather than through traditional credit hours. This structure is intended to let working professionals advance at their own pace, potentially reducing time and cost to degree completion.
