Western Governors University: Revolutionizing Higher Education Through Competency-Based Learning

Founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors from the Western Governors Association, Western Governors University (WGU) was built on a revolutionary premise: higher education should measure what students know, not how long they sit in a classroom. At a time when the internet was just beginning to reshape daily life, these governors recognised its potential to provide broader access to education and solve critical workforce needs. The result was WGU—the nation’s first fully online, competency-based university, and today the largest nonprofit, competency-based online higher education institution in the United States.

A Model Unlike Any Other

At the heart of WGU’s innovation is competency-based education (CBE)—a model that measures demonstrated skills rather than time spent in a classroom. Unlike traditional universities that require students to log a fixed number of credit hours, WGU allows learners to progress through their coursework as soon as they prove mastery of the material. Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, one of WGU’s founders, captured the vision succinctly: “Universities measure the wrong thing. They measure time. They measure prestige. I wanted to base a degree on performance—and that was a real revolution”. Buy fake diploma online.

This model translates into extraordinary flexibility. WGU students can accelerate their progress, graduate sooner, and spend significantly less money to earn their degrees. The university’s flat-rate tuition model means students pay for one six-month term and can complete as many courses as they are able within that period. Many complete their degrees in less time and at a much lower cost compared to other universities. Students spend an average of $8,000 annually on tuition and fees, and earn a bachelor’s degree for around $20,000.

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Academic Programs and Scale

WGU offers more than 80 degree programs across its four schools: Business, Education, Technology, and the Leavitt School of Health. As of 2025, the university offers 112 degree programs along with 18 certificate programs. Its scale is remarkable—WGU currently enrolls over 191,000 students and has a thriving alumni base of more than 389,000 across the United States. The university accounts for 5.2% of all U.S. bachelor’s degrees in education, has trained 2% of the nation’s registered nurses, and provides the largest cybersecurity program in the U.S..

Accreditation and Recognition

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and holds the unique distinction of having received regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions simultaneously. Its Teachers College holds CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation programs.

Personalized Support and Student-Centric Design

Every WGU student is assigned a personal Program Mentor who provides regular check-ins, guidance, and motivation. Course Instructors are also accessible for one-on-one meetings. With no set log-in times or test dates, the university’s model fits completely around the learner’s schedule. As former Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt observed: “WGU is about fundamental change in the way higher education is delivered. It’s right, it’s real, and it’s efficient. It’s what higher education will require to succeed in the future”.

From its founding by a coalition of governors to its current status as the nation’s largest online university, WGU has remained true to its mission: changing lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity. In doing so, it has not only transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of students but has also created a model that other colleges and universities are increasingly striving to replicate.