Head-to-head · 2026
Utah State University vs Western Governors University
Compare average net price ($14,936 at Utah State University; $12,548 at Western Governors University), ROI score (9.04 vs 12.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,022 vs $60,615), and admissions context (92.5% at Utah State University; Open / not reported at Western Governors University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Utah State University | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.04 | 12.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,936 | $12,548 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $59,744 | $50,192 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,228 | $8,658 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,802 | $8,658 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,022 | $60,615 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 92.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 59.1% ✓ | 46.2% |
| Retention rate | 70.8% ✓ | 64.6% |
| Median debt | $14,340 | $11,116 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 20,272 | 155,088 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1187 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Utah State University | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,057 ✓ | $12,064 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,803 | $12,436 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,521 | $12,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,094 | $14,824 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,169 | $12,734 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Utah State University | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2% | 23.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.7% | 15% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.8% | 6.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.6% | 3.5% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 0.5% | 5.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.1% | 3.4% |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 0.8% | 4.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.4% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Governors University reports the lower average net price by $2,388 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,552 difference over four years ($50,192 vs $59,744).
Western Governors University reports $6,593 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,615 vs $54,022). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.8% at Utah State University and 64.6% at Western Governors University. Median federal debt among completers is $14,340 vs $11,116, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Utah State University vs Western Governors University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Governors University is cheaper — average net price $12,548 per year vs $14,936 at Utah State University. The annual difference of $2,388 adds up to about $9,552 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Western Governors University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,615 vs $54,022 at Utah State University. The gap in the federal data is $6,593. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.