WGU Reviews: Honest Feedback from Real Students

Western Governors University (WGU) is a popular online university known for its flexible programs and affordable tuition. Many students choose WGU for its competency-based learning, allowing them to study at their own pace. But what do students really think about their experience?

Below, we’ve compiled genuine reviews to help you decide if WGU is the right choice for you.

Whether you’re considering enrolling or just curious, these reviews will give you valuable insights into life at WGU.

TrustPilot Ratings Breakdown for WGU

5 Stars0%

4 Stars100%

3 Stars100%

2 Star100%

1 Star100%

Finished my BSN in 4 months!!!

4 out of 5 stars
My experience was mostly a good one. I just think the Field Experience could be handled better. It is way too complicated. Facilities do not respond well when a random nurse calls and says they want to shadow a nurse there. There should be more involvement from the CLPS team to assist with getting Field Experience set up.

Julie

WGU was a great school to attend

4 out of 5 stars
WGU was a great school to attend. When there were issues with the online classrooms, the instructors were usually quick to respond. I would have liked to be able to preview a course to see if it had an OA or PA and maybe what the topic was before I started the course.

Michael Hathaway

If In Doubt, DO IT!

5 out of 5 stars
Not only was I able to obtain two Master level degrees for under $40,000, but the experience was priceless. My mentor nudged me when I needed it, the coursework was not too grueling, and it helped that the course instructors were very helpful and approachable. I would highly recommend WGU as it has been the best post-secondary education experience I’ve had!

Heather

WGU was a great school to attend

Michael Hathaway

School for all

5 out of 5 stars
WGU has made the impossible for me, possible with their unconventional but effective and affordable education programs. I commend the non for profit concept and school’s dedication to help hundreds of thousands Americans pursue their dreams. I am now planning to purse a master’s degree and I am more than excited to continue my journey.

Rezch

Amazing

5 out of 5 stars
I started in April in for a BS in Business. I have quite a bit of experience, so I was able to work with my course mentor to accelerate the courses. The courses were comprehensive, varied, and well put together. The only gripe I have is with the proctoring service, as every proctor takes a different approach to safety, even though there are guidelines. Some wanted me to put a towel over every monitor in my living room and others didn’t really care. This wasn’t enough to dock a point from an otherwise stellar program.

TZAHALLA SIRCHER

Outstanding Investment for My Future

5 out of 5 stars
My re-enrollment process at WGU was quick and seamless. The coursework is thoughtfully structured, with assignments that are highly relevant to advancing one’s career. Most importantly, the value of the education I received far exceeds the cost—making it an outstanding investment for my future.

Veronica K.

Best online college in the country

5 out of 5 stars
Best online college in the country. If you have a family and work, this is the college for you.

CHANDLER CONNER

The best way to learn as a working professional

5 out of 5 stars
The competency based model allows you to fly through the classes you already know and focus on what you need to learn. Perfect for those non traditional students like me. I worked full time plus and completed my 4 year degree in 1.5 years.

John Hoey

Disappointing and frustrating

1 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and frustrating at every level. Would not recommend.

I loved that this program allowed me to work at my own pace!

5 out of 5 stars
I loved that this program allowed me to work at my own pace. The instructors were great when I needed help or guidance! The competency based assignments allowed me to make changes to assignments and learn even more. My mentor was so encouraging and helped me finish the program based on my timeline.

Marissa Vigil

Positive Learning Experience

5 out of 5 stars
The professors were consistently supportive, and there were plenty of resources to help ensure success in every class. I particularly valued the live cohort classes they offered.

Meg Ming

Exceptional education!

5 out of 5 stars
Exceptional education!

Maritza Marenco-Murphy

Disappointed overall

3 out of 5 stars
I am pretty disappointed in the Competency-based Masters degree experience. The early classes were fine but I got almost zero feedback and guidance on my “Capstone” project while I was building it, implementing and submitting all the assessments. The only feedback I received was that Grammerly was to be used exclusively to pass the “Professional Communication ” aspects. I was absolutely stunned and utterly disappointed to realize that NO ONE at WGU (MED – Education Technology and Instructional Design) would be a participant with the e-learning program I designed for my Capstone, to judge if it was acceptable and that I was competent. I wonder if anyone actually read all my Capstone assessments and the final Capstone Report. Absolutely no feedback whatsoever. I actually feel let-down and not completely confident in applying for jobs after graduating. I hope other degree programs are better supported with providing feedback to grow from the assessments.

Nicole R.

Great for competency; fails to uphold website advertisements

3 out of 5 stars
If you’re considering scholarships at WGU, a word of advice: don’t bank on them. While they advertise a variety of appealing scholarships, like the “Back to School” one, getting one is far from guaranteed. I’ve earned multiple certifications, and I assumed those would count toward credit, given the effort they required. But WGU doesn’t transfer them, not even as electives, which was disappointing. Their site talks a lot about generous transfer credit options, but honestly, take that with a grain of salt. On the positive side, the staff is supportive—Melissa, my program mentor, has been fantastic. However, the scholarship experience has been frustrating. WGU’s marketing gives the impression that funding options are readily accessible, but for many students, that’s just not the reality. Rent and living expenses don’t magically go away, and without the financial support I’d hoped for, balancing school and work to cover these costs will be challenging.

Robert Cesario

Not processing loans in a timely manner

2 out of 5 stars
They are saying it could take them 2-3 months to process my school loans, in which they quickly used up the grants I had to pay for the term to start but didn’t process the loans in which I was using the loan money for technology to be able to complete my school work more efficiently.

Travis Miller

Informatics was horrible

1 out of 5 stars
Informatics was horrible! I took the OA 5 times before passing.

sharon williams

Great education that works with everyone’s schedules!

5 out of 5 stars
WGU was a great program that had a lot of flexibility for working adults and people with families. It was great to do the courses whenever I had free time and the courses were very well put together.

Rob V

The speakers were magnificent and I…

5 out of 5 stars
The speakers were magnificent and I truly felt celebrated!

CHRYSTLE

Horrible and Unreliable System for Exams

1 out of 5 stars
My husband is in the military and chose WGU because of the flexibility it was supposed to offer. He has scheduled his current course test 4 TIMES and has still not been able to take it. Each time there have been technical issues that he gets the runaround to fix. The first three times it took hours and ended with no resolution or him being able to take the exam. Now the fourth time he is finally able to get through but an hour later. He works long shifts and crazy hours and already has minimal time at home. Now after almost 10 hours over 4 different days he is HOPEFULLY going to be able to take this ONE test. Everyone keeps telling him it’s a common issue with their new system but it’s the only way he can take exams. Every person he has talked to seems to acknowledge it’s a big problem, so fix it! This is unacceptable from a university that claims to be for professionals.

WGU allowed for a great academic experience

5 out of 5 stars
WGU allowed for a great academic experience. The mentors are great, very supportive, and helped me to accomplish my tasks as needed on time.

Nicole Barr

I had an incredible experience during…

5 out of 5 stars
I had an incredible experience during my MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management. I want to express my gratitude to my mentor, instructors, and writing center staff for making this journey challenging yet manageable.

EDUARDO DELA CRUZ

The freedom to work on my courses at…

5 out of 5 stars
The freedom to work on my courses at any time of day or night made my experience great. I appreciate how quickly we can move from one course to another, and I also value my mentor’s bi-weekly calls to motivate me and hold me accountable. Additionally, the price for the courses is affordable compared to other schools.

Laura Kwitowski

WGU offered me a path to a degree that…

5 out of 5 stars
WGU offered me a path to a degree that took into account my professional experience in my chosen field of study. While I was able to accelerate because of the foundational knowledge I already had from working in my field for the last 10 years, if you are just starting out or looking to change careers, the course content would ensure you are well prepared. The Program Mentor role was pivotal in me attaining my degree and a resource I would encourage every WGU student to utilize.

Jeriad G

WGU is the way to go!

5 out of 5 stars
From the very beginning, WGU made the process very smooth and easy to follow. Having a mentor made everything even better. It was so great to have a support system who understood what we all go through while earning a degree.

Cristina Lopez

The Alumni and Graduates Ceremony was Great!

5 out of 5 stars
The Alumni and Graduates Ceremony was well organized and entertaining. The only drawback was there was no signage for the entrance to the park for the Alumni gathering, but we eventually found the right entrance. But once we did, the food, music, and social activities were well organized and entertaining.

Demorian Newton

The enrollment department is lying to…

1 out of 5 stars
The enrollment department is lying to prospective students by claiming all tuition is prorated and not specifying that only part time students would be prorated.

Derl Curry

I like the idea and availability of…

3 out of 5 stars
I like the idea and availability of taking classes on your own timeline

customer

WGU – Life Saver

5 out of 5 stars
WGU has made my life easy since I started pursuing my MBA. It has helped me balance myself between & life responsibilities & I never ran into any mishaps.

Hamza Mallick

WGU made my academic dream a reality

5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed my academic experience at Western Governors University. I did the MBA program and I was able to to accelerate the program with the support of my program mentor, course instructors, and WGU MBA program support groups on social media. It was not easy but I did it! I was a true WGU night OWL, lots of sleepless nights studying. Overall my experience was OWL good. I’ve accomplished what I’d set out to do after 20 years of not being in school. I’m a proud alumna of WGU. Thank you WGU for making my academic dream a reality. Hoot! Hoot!

Farahnez Weir-Caswell

Overall Summary of WGU Reviews

WGU has received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its affordability, flexibility, and competency-based model. Students appreciate the ability to work at their own pace and the support from mentors and faculty. However, there are some concerns about specific aspects like field experience, proctoring systems, and financial aid processing.

Rating	Percentage
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)	80%
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)	12%
⭐⭐⭐ (3 Stars)	3%
⭐⭐ (2 Stars)	2%
⭐ (1 Star)	3%

Pros of WGU: Why Students Love It

Flexibility and Competency-Based Learning

WGU’s flexible model allows students to complete courses at their own pace. This approach is ideal for working professionals or those with family responsibilities.

“The freedom to work on my courses at any time of day or night made my experience great.” — Laura Kwitowski

Affordability

WGU is a nonprofit institution, making it more affordable than many traditional universities. Students also appreciate the flat-rate tuition model.

“Not only was I able to obtain two Master level degrees for under $40,000, but the experience was priceless.” — Heather

Supportive Mentors and Faculty

Students frequently mention the helpfulness of mentors who guide them throughout their academic journey.

“Having a mentor made everything even better. It was so great to have a support system.” — Cristina Lopez

Accelerated Programs

Many students have successfully accelerated their degrees due to their prior experience and knowledge.

“I finished my BSN in 4 months!” — Julie

Cons of WGU: Areas for Improvement

Field Experience and Proctoring

Students pursuing nursing and other professional programs found the field experience setup challenging. Some also faced issues with the proctoring system.

“Facilities do not respond well when a random nurse calls and says they want to shadow a nurse there.” — Julie
“The only gripe I have is with the proctoring service.” — TZAHALLA SIRCHER

Lack of Feedback on Assignments

Some students felt disappointed with the lack of detailed feedback on major projects, like capstone assessments.

“I got almost zero feedback and guidance on my ‘Capstone’ project.” — Nicole R.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Challenges

While WGU advertises scholarships and financial aid options, some students found the process frustrating or unclear.

“Their site talks a lot about generous transfer credit options, but honestly, take that with a grain of salt.” — Robert Cesario

What Makes WGU Stand Out?

Competency-Based Model

Unlike traditional universities, WGU focuses on mastery of subjects rather than time spent in class. This allows experienced professionals to move quickly through familiar topics.

Support for Non-Traditional Students

WGU is particularly appealing to working professionals and parents, offering flexibility to balance academics with life commitments.

“Perfect for those non-traditional students like me. I worked full-time and completed my 4-year degree in 1.5 years.” — John Hoey

Is WGU the Right Choice for You?

WGU is an excellent choice for:

Students looking for affordable, flexible, and competency-based education.
Working professionals and parents who need to balance academics with other commitments.
Those who value self-paced learning and want to accelerate their degree.

However, if you require extensive hands-on support or face challenges with proctoring and financial aid, it’s worth considering these factors before enrolling.

Final Thoughts on WGU Reviews

Western Governors University has helped thousands of students achieve their academic and career goals, often exceeding their expectations. While it’s not without its challenges, the flexibility, affordability, and competency-based model make it a strong contender for non-traditional learners.

Ready to explore more about WGU? Visit the WGU Student Portal for program details, enrollment options, and more!