UVU vs. WGU Western Governors

Comparable Facts

Compare Utah Valley University in Orem, UT 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 UVU based on total student enrollment (210,208 students vs. 46,807 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Utah Valley University is located in Orem, UT (Small City setting); Western Governors University is in Salt Lake City, UT (Large Suburban setting).
• Utah Valley University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Governors University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Utah Valley University 26:1; Western Governors University 42:1.

UVU vs. WGU Western Governors Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVU 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 Utah Valley University than WGU Western Governors ($8,721 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Governors University are 33.3% lower than at Utah Valley University ($8,100 vs. $12,150).
• Western Governors University is 33.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVU (about $2,151 more per year; $8,658.00 vs. $6,507.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.5% higher at UVU than at Western Governors University (about $9,831 more per year; $18,489.00 vs. $8,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Utah Valley University than at Western Governors University (62% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Utah Valley University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Western Governors University students ($5,670 vs. $5,455).

UVU vs. WGU Western Governors Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVU 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 UVU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVU - Open admission; WGU Western Governors - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVU Aug 1, 2027.

UVU vs. WGU Western Governors Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVU 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 Utah Valley University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than WGU Western Governors graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Governors University graduates have a $2,700 lower median loan debt than UVU graduates ($12,500 vs. $15,200).
• Among borrowers, WGU Western Governors graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVU graduates ($129 vs. $157).
• More UVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WGU Western Governors students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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.