Smart Borrowing Begins With Informed Decisions
WGU is committed to helping students borrow responsibly so that their education remains affordable and delivers lasting value.
WGU’s Responsible Borrowing Initiative (RBI) provides each student with a personalized Financial Aid Plan that breaks down their actual costs and recommends borrowing only what’s truly needed. Students also have access to an interactive Student Loan Scenario Calculator that allows them to adjust factors like competency units per term, terms to graduate, and loan amounts to see how those choices impact out-of-pocket costs and future loan repayments
Exceptional Outcomes
Since launching the RBI in 2013, WGU has seen meaningful shifts in how students approach borrowing. Average annual borrowing has dropped by more than 23%, and today nearly half of students choose to borrow less than they’re offered. Even more striking, 1 in 5 students now decline loans altogether—twice as many as 2013. By simply providing useful information, WGU is able to significantly change student behavior and reduce borrowing.
Represents data from July 2024 to June 2025.
*Comparisons based on College Board Trend data and WGU internal data.
Our Model Works
1/2
Undergraduate students at WGU graduate with about 1/2 the debt of their peers across the country.* Half!
24 months
On average, WGU students earn their bachelor’s degree in two years, helping them spend less.
53%
WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 53% lower than the national average, compared to national rates reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science, Nursing Prelicensure program.
2 yrs
Since WGU grads, on average, increase their income by $22,200 within 2 years of graduation, our graduates see an impressive ROI.
-WGU 2024 Harris Poll
How Competency-Based Education (CBE) Supports Responsible Borrowing
WGU’s CBE model lets students move through coursework as soon as they demonstrate mastery, often finishing faster and paying less. This built-in efficiency helps reduce overall costs and directly supports the goals of the Responsible Borrowing Initiative.
Effective, Award-Winning Innovation
WGU is proud to have the Responsible Borrowing Initiative acknowledged with several industry awards:
2021 – NASFAA Gold Star Award
- Awarded by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
- Recognizes innovative ideas in the financial aid arena for any level or constituency.
- NASFAA is the only national, nonprofit association focused on disseminating information, professional development, and analyzing legislation and regulations related to federal student aid.
2020 – Ellucian Impact Award
- Recognized WGU for its work in transforming how students think about debt.
2016 – WCET WOW Award
- Granted by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WCET).
- Honors exemplary programs that serve as models for the higher education community.
- WCET is a national, member-driven nonprofit focused on improving the quality and reach of e-learning.
2016 – American Association of University Administrators Exemplary Models Award
- Recognized WGU’s Responsible Borrowing Initiative for excellence in higher education administration.
