Florida Tech vs Western Governors University (WGU)

Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Western Governors University (WGU) stand out as two distinct institutions of higher learning, each catering to unique student populations and academic aspirations. FIT, a private university located in Melbourne, Florida, boasts a traditional campus experience with a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. In contrast, WGU, an online, competency-based university headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, offers flexible and self-paced learning opportunities, primarily catering to working adults seeking career advancement. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, their contrasting acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates reflect their distinct approaches to higher education. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Florida Institute of Technology	Western Governors University
Overview
Location	Melbourne, Florida	Salt Lake City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Non Traditional
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	63.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.9%	Open Admission
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1140 - 1340	N/A
ACT range	24 - 30	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	68.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%
Total number of applicants	10,650
Total number of admissions given out	7,016
Admitted students who chose to enroll	756
Yield rate	10.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A
High school GPA	Required	N/A
Recommendation letters	Not required	N/A
High school transcript	Not required	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$61,442	$14,652
Average net price	$32,314	$10,336
Tuition	$42,346	$7,162
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,416 Meal plan: $5,980
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $25,807	47.0% Average amount $4,316
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,481	67.0% Average amount $5,072
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $24,026	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,491 Men 69.4% Women 30.6%	107,952 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students	4,339 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	42,164 Men 29.2% Women 70.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	54.8%	92.9%
International students	19.3%	0.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,017	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania	Texas Washington Utah California Indiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Psychology Business Transportation and Logistics Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Education Business Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	42:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.3%	63.6%
Dropout rate	32.8%	27.2%
Transferred out	N/A	2.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,395 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $85,054 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,500 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $83,998 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,306 Year 2: $75,787 Year 3: $81,479 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,475 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $80,057 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,264 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $79,253 Air Transportation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $77,183 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,682 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $76,785 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,184 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,804 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,992 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,267 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,647 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $71,506	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,943 Year 2: $98,156 Year 3: $111,928 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,608 Year 2: $90,998 Year 3: $97,288 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,245 Year 2: $86,988 Year 3: $90,365 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,868 Year 2: $74,056 Year 3: $80,509 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,342 Year 2: $75,430 Year 3: $78,577 Educational Administration and Supervision (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $76,072 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,423 Year 2: $70,169 Year 3: $74,384 General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,520 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $72,823 Medical Illustration and Informatics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,154 Year 2: $62,409 Year 3: $68,593 Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,855 Year 3: $68,172

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in learning style between Florida Tech and WGU?

Florida Tech offers a traditional, on-campus learning experience with scheduled classes, lectures, and labs. You'll interact directly with professors and classmates in a structured environment. Western Governors University (WGU), on the other hand, provides a competency-based, online learning model. You progress at your own pace, demonstrating mastery of subjects rather than accumulating credit hours. WGU is ideal if you're self-motivated and prefer a flexible schedule.
How do the academic programs at Florida Tech and WGU compare?

Florida Tech is known for its strong STEM programs, particularly in aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, and related scientific fields. They offer a wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in these areas. WGU focuses on career-oriented programs in business, IT, education, and healthcare. While WGU offers degrees in technology, its focus is more on practical application and industry certifications than theoretical research.
What is the tuition structure like at Florida Tech versus WGU?

Florida Tech has a traditional tuition model, charging per credit hour or semester. The total cost can vary depending on your program and course load. WGU uses a flat-rate tuition model per six-month term, regardless of the number of courses you complete within that term. This can be more cost-effective if you can accelerate your learning and complete courses quickly.
What kind of student support services are available at each university?

Florida Tech provides comprehensive on-campus support services, including academic advising, career services, counseling, tutoring, and disability services. WGU offers online student support, including program mentors, course instructors, a student success coach, and a robust online library and resource center. While WGU's support is virtual, it's designed to provide personalized guidance and assistance throughout your program.
How does the campus life experience differ between Florida Tech and WGU?

Florida Tech offers a traditional campus life experience with on-campus housing, student organizations, clubs, sports teams, and social events. You'll have opportunities to build relationships with classmates and participate in campus activities. WGU, being an online university, doesn't have a physical campus or traditional campus life. However, WGU does offer online communities and networking opportunities for students to connect with each other.
What are the admission requirements for Florida Tech and WGU?

Florida Tech typically requires a strong academic record, including high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. WGU has more flexible admission requirements, focusing on your readiness for college-level work and your ability to succeed in a self-directed learning environment. They may require transcripts, but standardized test scores are often not required. WGU also assesses readiness through interviews and pre-assessment tests.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Florida Tech's career services department provides on-campus recruiting, career fairs, resume workshops, and internship opportunities, leveraging its strong industry connections, particularly in aerospace and engineering. WGU's career services focus on online resources, resume building, interview preparation, and connecting students with employers in their field. Both universities aim to help graduates find employment, but Florida Tech's strength lies in its specific STEM fields, while WGU's strength is in its broad range of career-focused programs.
What is the accreditation status of Florida Tech and WGU?

Both Florida Tech and WGU are regionally accredited institutions. Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). WGU is also accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Regional accreditation is a widely recognized standard of quality in higher education.
Which university is better for someone who needs a lot of structure and in-person interaction?

Florida Tech is the better choice if you thrive in a structured learning environment with regular class schedules and face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates. The traditional campus setting and readily available on-campus resources provide a supportive and engaging learning experience.
Which university is better for someone who is self-motivated and needs a flexible schedule?

Western Governors University (WGU) is the better choice if you are self-disciplined, motivated, and need a flexible schedule to accommodate work or other commitments. The competency-based, online learning model allows you to progress at your own pace and complete coursework whenever and wherever it's convenient for you.

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