ISU vs. WGU Western Governors

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Governors University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (210,208 students vs. 13,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Western Governors University is in Salt Lake City, UT (Large Suburban setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Governors University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Western Governors University 42:1.

ISU vs. WGU Western Governors Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or WGU Western Governors? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Governors University than ISU ($11,328 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 2.7% lower than at Western Governors University ($7,882 vs. $8,100).
• Western Governors University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $48 more per year; $8,658.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.2% higher at ISU than at Western Governors University (about $19,062 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $8,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Western Governors University (91% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 69% larger than aid received by Western Governors University students ($9,217 vs. $5,455).

ISU vs. WGU Western Governors Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or WGU Western Governors? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WGU Western Governors and ISU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; WGU Western Governors - Open admission.

ISU vs. WGU Western Governors Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and WGU Western Governors? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Western Governors University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Governors University graduates have a $10,450 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($12,500 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, WGU Western Governors graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($129 vs. $237).
• More WGU Western Governors graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.