Western Governors University (WGU) vs CSU-FC

Western Governors University (WGU) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CSU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. WGU, an online, competency-based university, boasts a remarkably high acceptance rate of 100%, making it accessible to a wide range of learners. CSU, a traditional brick-and-mortar university, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, WGU's most popular majors include business, information technology, and education, while CSU's strengths lie in engineering, business, and agricultural sciences. CSU's student body is predominantly traditional-aged undergraduates, while WGU's student population is older, with a significant proportion of working adults seeking to advance their careers. Graduation rates also differ, with CSU's four-year graduation rate at 48% and WGU's six-year graduation rate at

	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Western Governors University
Overview
Location	Fort Collins, Colorado	Salt Lake City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Non Traditional
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	63.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.6%	Open Admission
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1080 - 1290	N/A
ACT range	23 - 29	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%
Total number of applicants	31,586
Total number of admissions given out	28,314
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,197
Yield rate	18.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A
High school GPA	Required	N/A
Recommendation letters	Required	N/A
High school transcript	Not required	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,174 Out of state: $46,456	$14,652
Average net price	$18,320	$10,336
Tuition	In state: $9,709 Out of state: $28,991	$7,162
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,186 Meal plan: $6,830
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	70.0% Average amount $10,034	47.0% Average amount $4,316
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,018	67.0% Average amount $5,072
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,976	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,954 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	107,952 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students	7,632 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	42,164 Men 29.2% Women 70.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	34.3%	92.9%
International students	4.8%	0.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,300	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington	Texas Washington Utah California Indiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Health Professions Education Business Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	42:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.1%	63.6%
Dropout rate	18.5%	27.2%
Transferred out	10.4%	2.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,915 Year 3: $106,015 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,613 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,379 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $93,827 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,747 Year 2: $80,301 Year 3: $92,215 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $89,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,253 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $88,889 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,603 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,546 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,387 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $86,814 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,629 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $83,089 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,849 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $80,723	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 is the primary difference in the learning format between Western Governors University (WGU) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CSU-Fort Collins)?

WGU is an entirely online, competency-based university. This means you learn at your own pace and demonstrate mastery of subjects through assessments. CSU-Fort Collins, on the other hand, is a traditional brick-and-mortar university offering a wide range of programs with in-person classes, although they also offer online programs.
How does the cost of attendance compare between WGU and CSU-Fort Collins?

Generally, WGU is more affordable than CSU-Fort Collins. WGU uses a flat-rate tuition model per term, regardless of the number of courses taken, which can be cost-effective for self-motivated students. CSU-Fort Collins' tuition varies depending on the program, residency status, and number of credits taken.
What types of programs are offered at WGU and CSU-Fort Collins?

CSU-Fort Collins offers a broad spectrum of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in fields like engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, arts, and sciences. WGU primarily focuses on career-oriented programs, particularly in business, information technology, education, and healthcare, with a strong emphasis on practical skills.
What is the typical student profile at WGU versus CSU-Fort Collins?

WGU attracts a diverse student body, often including working adults seeking to advance their careers or individuals looking for flexible learning options. CSU-Fort Collins has a more traditional student profile, with a significant population of recent high school graduates, as well as transfer students and adult learners.
How does the accreditation of WGU and CSU-Fort Collins compare?

Both universities are regionally accredited, which is a crucial factor for the acceptance of your degree by employers and other institutions. CSU-Fort Collins is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and WGU is also accredited by the HLC. This ensures that both institutions meet rigorous standards of quality.
What kind of campus experience can I expect at CSU-Fort Collins compared to WGU?

CSU-Fort Collins offers a traditional campus experience with on-campus housing, student organizations, sports teams, and social events. WGU, being an online university, does not have a physical campus, so the experience is centered around online learning and virtual interactions.
How does the support system for students differ between the two universities?

CSU-Fort Collins provides a comprehensive support system, including academic advising, career services, tutoring, and on-campus resources. WGU offers student mentors and program mentors who provide guidance and support throughout your program, along with online resources and a strong online community.
What are the admission requirements for WGU and CSU-Fort Collins?

CSU-Fort Collins typically requires high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT, though some programs are test-optional), and potentially letters of recommendation. WGU has more flexible admission requirements, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent and, in some cases, a transfer of prior college credits or passing an introductory course.
How do the graduation rates compare between WGU and CSU-Fort Collins?

Graduation rates can vary depending on the program and student demographics. CSU-Fort Collins, as a traditional university, publishes its graduation rates. WGU's graduation rates are also available, and it's important to consider that the competency-based model may lead to different completion timelines compared to traditional programs.
Which university is better for someone who is working full-time?

WGU is generally a better fit for working professionals due to its flexible, online, and self-paced learning model. CSU-Fort Collins offers online programs, but the in-person requirements of some programs may be more challenging to balance with a full-time job.

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