College Grad Analyst
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Utah · Private nonprofit · Predominantly bachelor's

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah. 135,822 undergraduate students. 57 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 433387 · OPEID 033394 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

What the data flags at Western Governors University

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE-40%

100%-time completion

100%-time completion at Western Governors University fell 40% between 2021 and 2024 (54.8% → 33.1%).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE-27%

150%-time completion

150%-time completion at Western Governors University fell 27% between 2021 and 2024 (63.6% → 46.2%).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE+16%

In-state tuition

In-state tuition at Western Governors University rose 16% between 2021 and 2024 ($7.5k → $8.7k).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE+16%

Out-of-state tuition

Out-of-state tuition at Western Governors University rose 16% between 2021 and 2024 ($7.5k → $8.7k).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

The numbers, vs. Utah

Each tile compares this institution to the Utah median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$60,615-13% · 6→10y
Utah median $35,805
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$69,572
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
50.9%+223% · '05→'24
Utah median 69.4%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$8,318+833% · '02→'20
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
135,822
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
61.5%-29% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
—+24% · '07→'09
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$8,300+166% · '02→'24
out-of-state $8,300
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

1.8%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $8,318 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $60,615 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

Ten-plus year arc

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1999–2024155,088
155,088019992024
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 2005–202446.2%
64%14%20052024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 2002–2020$11,116
$15,285$1,19220022020
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 2005→2024+223%

Western Governors University · completion · 150% rose

14.3% → 46.2%

COMPLETION · 100% · 2007→2024+26%

Western Governors University · completion · 100% rose

26.3% → 33.1%

RETENTION · 2004→2024-29%

Western Governors University · retention fell

91.0% → 64.6%

UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT · 1999→2024+77544%

Western Governors University · undergrad enrollment rose

0 → 155,088

IN-STATE TUITION · 2002→2024+166%

Western Governors University · in-state tuition rose

$3,250 → $8,658

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2002→2024+166%

Western Governors University · out-of-state tuition rose

$3,250 → $8,658

MEDIAN DEBT · 2002→2020+833%

Western Governors University · median debt rose

$1,192 → $11,116

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

Western Governors University · cohort default rate fell

8.0% → 0.0%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_10YR · 2011→2020+56%

Western Governors University · earnings_median_10yr rose

$38,800 → $60,615

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2009→2020+74%

Western Governors University · earnings_median_8yr rose

$39,600 → $68,924

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_6YR · 2007→2020+84%

Western Governors University · earnings_median_6yr rose

$37,900 → $69,572

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

Ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.CIP 1110 · Master's Degree$138,406896 gradsManagement Information Systems and Services.CIP 5212 · Master's Degree$123,017677 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.CIP 5138 · Master's Degree$110,1123,210 gradsComputer and Information Sciences, General.CIP 1101 · Bachelor's Degree$103,842681 gradsGeneral Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations.CIP 5218 · Bachelor's Degree$100,6311 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.CIP 5138 · Bachelor's Degree$97,7431,073 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and Operations.CIP 5202 · Master's Degree$94,2904,830 gradsMedical Illustration and Informatics.CIP 5127 · Bachelor's Degree$89,5080 gradsHealth/Medical Preparatory Programs.CIP 5111 · Bachelor's Degree$87,442—Educational Administration and Supervision.CIP 1304 · Post-baccalaureate Certificate$87,274—Accounting and Related Services.CIP 5203 · Master's Degree$85,208331 gradsEducational Administration and Supervision.CIP 1304 · Master's Degree$81,506512 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and Operations.CIP 5202 · Bachelor's Degree$79,4313,061 gradsMarketing.CIP 5214 · Bachelor's Degree$70,202673 gradsEducational/Instructional Media Design.CIP 1305 · Master's Degree$69,9972,099 gradsAccounting and Related Services.CIP 5203 · Bachelor's Degree$68,7091,183 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.CIP 1313 · Post-baccalaureate Certificate$67,995—Curriculum and Instruction.CIP 1303 · Master's Degree$67,9012,690 gradsTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language.CIP 1314 · Master's Degree$67,630483 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.CIP 1313 · Master's Degree$65,3811,342 gradsSpecial Education and Teaching.CIP 1310 · Master's Degree$62,963420 gradsEducation, General.CIP 1301 · Master's Degree$55,251—Special Education and Teaching.CIP 1310 · Bachelor's Degree$52,641836 gradsEducation, General.CIP 1301 · Post-baccalaureate Certificate$52,628—
Showing top 24 of 27 ranked programs.57 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

27 programs with earnings, grouped

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.Master's Degree$138,406896 gradsComputer and Information Sciences, General.Bachelor's Degree$103,842681 grads

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Curriculum and Instruction.Master's Degree$67,9012,690 gradsEducational/Instructional Media Design.Master's Degree$69,9972,099 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.Bachelor's Degree$43,4891,819 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Master's Degree$65,3811,342 gradsSpecial Education and Teaching.Bachelor's Degree$52,641836 gradsEducational Administration and Supervision.Master's Degree$81,506512 gradsTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language.Master's Degree$67,630483 gradsSpecial Education and Teaching.Master's Degree$62,963420 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Bachelor's Degree$50,239334 gradsEducation, General.Bachelor's Degree$47,043—Education, General.Post-baccalaureate Certificate$52,628—Education, General.Master's Degree$55,251—Educational Administration and Supervision.Post-baccalaureate Certificate$87,274—Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Post-baccalaureate Certificate$67,995—

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.Master's Degree$110,1123,210 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.Bachelor's Degree$97,7431,073 gradsHealth/Medical Preparatory Programs.Bachelor's Degree$87,442—Medical Illustration and Informatics.Bachelor's Degree$89,5080 grads

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Business Administration, Management and Operations.Master's Degree$94,2904,830 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and Operations.Bachelor's Degree$79,4313,061 gradsAccounting and Related Services.Bachelor's Degree$68,7091,183 gradsManagement Information Systems and Services.Master's Degree$123,017677 gradsMarketing.Bachelor's Degree$70,202673 gradsAccounting and Related Services.Master's Degree$85,208331 gradsGeneral Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations.Bachelor's Degree$100,6311 grads
FINANCIAL OUTCOME · ILLUSTRATION

Estimate the financial outcome at Western Governors University

Pick a program. Cost from Scorecard net price by family income; earnings from Treasury 5-year-post-completion median, projected forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve. The selection-bias toggle applies the Dale-Krueger shrinkage. Outcomes illustration, not a forecast — see methodology.

Shrinks the earnings premium toward the matched-applicant mean. STEM <15%, business ~40%, arts & education ~60%.

NET PRESENT VALUE
$883,544
Over 40 years, discounted 5.0%
BREAKEVEN
Year 8
First year cumulative discounted earnings cross zero
graduationbreakeven · year 8year 0year 39
Cost per year
$10,666
HS-only baseline · UT
$38,000
Years to complete
6
CIP family
52

Outcomes illustration · not a forecast. Projects observed Scorecard earnings forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve under your assumptions. See methodology for the math.

SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Same sector and degree mix in Utah

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

PROVO$75.8k

BYU

Private nonprofit · Predominantly bachelor's · 82% completion
SALT LAKE CITY$66.2k

Westminster University

Private nonprofit · Predominantly bachelor's · 69% completion
SALT LAKE CITY—

Midwives College of Utah

Private nonprofit · Predominantly bachelor's
SALT LAKE CITY$50.6k

Ensign College

Private nonprofit · Predominantly certificates · 31% completion
OREM$55.5k

Utah Valley University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 41% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“Western Governors University graduates earn $X” — not “Western Governors University makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending Western Governors University caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →