Earn More Money with an Affordable Degree
When looking for a degree, you want the most value for your investment. At WGU, we understand that. It’s why we offer affordable, high-value programs that help students see increased return on investment of both money and time. Pay tuition per six-month term, work at your own pace, and earn a valuable degree as quickly as you can finish the requirements.
Your success is our success. The more students we help earn higher pay and give back to their communities, the more impact we have as a university. Bring your talent and grit—we'll provide the opportunity, and together we'll work to improve your life and community through an equitable degree.
Actual ROI at WGU
Return on investment isn’t just something we talk about—it’s real. In addition to the community impact you make as a skilled and newly credentialed member of your local workforce, there’s a real monetary return.
WGU grads see a salary increase of $22,200 on average, just two years after graduating. Within four years, that number grows to $30,300 for WGU grads.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
"Take the time to invest in yourself and develop new skills and knowledge. Going back to school to get my B.A. and MBA was one of the best decisions I made. I have no regrets over my decision to invest in myself and further my education. Plus, I did not have any student debt after graduation with WGU keeping tuition so affordable."
-Sandra Barber,
MBA
Fully Accredited Education, at About Half the Cost
WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 47% 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.
Average Yearly Bachelor's Tuition:
$8,300
Average yearly bachelor's degree tuition at WGU is $8,300, compared to the national average yearly bachelor's degree tuition price of $17,709 according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (2023).
Average Yearly Master's Tuition:
$8,856
Average yearly master's tuition at WGU is $8,856, compared to the national average for yearly master's tuition degree price of $20,513 according to data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (2023).
Low Tuition is a Priority
- We keep tuition low at WGU to make education accessible to all kinds of learners throughout the United States.
- Our online course format lowers operation expenses, allowing us to keep tuition costs lower.
- We charge per six-month term, not per credit, which means you can take more classes and not pay extra.
- Competency-based education lets you take assessments to accelerate course completion and spend less.
- Financial aid and scholarships put already-affordable tuition even more within reach.
"The tuition at WGU is amazing. It's significantly less than other schools. I finished my bachelor's within a year and a half, saving me a lot of money, and helping me get my degree a lot faster."
-Alex Sandoval,
B.A. Special Education (K–12)
Making Degrees Affordable for All
You have unique financial needs. While you may only need to borrow a small sum to afford a degree, another student may need to borrow more. This is where responsible borrowing comes in. The Responsible Borrowing Initiative at WGU focuses on helping students borrow only what they need, enabling us to offer financial aid to more students. Smaller loans also allow students to pay off debt faster.
When each student borrows only what they need and nothing more, we expand educational opportunities to all. Our Responsible Borrowing Initiative has resulted in 65% of WGU borrowers accepting the recommendation to borrow less, with another 10% declining loans altogether.
Responsible borrowing has led to:
- Less overall debt - Undergraduate students at WGU graduate with half the debt of their peers across the country.*
- Reduced borrowing - Of the WGU students who borrow, this program has reduced the average amount borrowed by over $5,000 since 2014.
*WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 47% lower than the national average, compared to national rates reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems in 2022. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science, Nursing Prelicensure program.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
A Degree Worth Your Time and Money
When you invest in a degree, you're putting in not only money, but also valuable time. Each minute you spend learning skills and earning your degree will pay great dividends. Here's why investing time and money in a WGU education is worth the effort:
- Increased salary potential—on average, WGU grads saw salary increases of $30,300 within four years of graduation
- Greater potential to advance in your current industry
- Ability to job change to a new industry thanks to new skills and credentials
- Increased knowledge and skills that will make you more marketable
- An improved résumé
- Expanded network of employers and alumni
- Increased job stability because of your enhanced skill set
"Before WGU, I was an IT engineer barely making ends meet. With my MBA, I am now a senior business analyst for a Fortune 500 company!”
Timothy Mulcahey
WGU alum
Invest in Yourself and Get Started Today
There's never been a better time to invest in yourself. We help by saving you both time and money while you earn a degree at WGU. We'll work closely with you to find the best path and financial aid options to help you further your education and earn an equitable degree.
View Our Colleges and Find Degrees
All of our degree programs are carefully chosen with employment and success in mind. Our special model of online learning is designed for the working adult, and our commitment to keep costs down means better ROI for our graduates.
Online. Nonprofit. Affordable.
Discover why WGU is the ideal university to pursue your unique career goals.
