WGU Washington Holds the Line on Tuition Again This Year
Tuition of $5,780 per year for most programs will not increase at Washington online university
SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While college students across the state and nationwide continue to face tuition increases, tuition at nonprofit WGU Washington, washington.wgu.edu, will not go up this year.
The online university has announced that its tuition of $2,890 per six-month term for most programs, or $5,780 per year, will remain at the same level. Tuition has not increased since WGU Washington was established last year by the Washington Legislature in partnership with national Western Governors University (WGU). In fact, WGU's decision to hold its tuition steady for its national and state-based universities marks five straight years without tuition increases.
WGU Washington was established to increase the state's capacity for educating busy working adult Washingtonians, filling the gaps that state universities and community and technical colleges are unable to fill. Washington's community and technical colleges faced an average tuition increase of 12% last year, while state universities have seen yearly tuition increases of 16-20% each of the last two years. Nationwide, college students are facing tuition increases averaging 15% this year.
Tuition for all of WGU Washington's online degree programs is charged at a flat rate per six-month term; students may complete as many courses as they are able during their term at no additional cost.
WGU Washington is recognized for its innovative, competency-based learning model, which allows students to earn their degrees by demonstrating their mastery of subject matter rather than spending time in class to accumulate credit hours. Competency-based learning makes it possible for students to take advantage of prior education and work experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate, shortening the time to graduation and saving money.
"WGU Washington is committed to one thing: high-quality advanced degree programs that are within reach of working Washingtonians," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten. "That accessibility must include affordability, and we're proud of the ways this unique institution is able to keep costs low for our students."
In addition to federal financial aid, WGU Washington sponsors a number of scholarship programs in all degree areas. For more information, visit washington.wgu.edu/scholarships.
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents. The nonprofit university, which receives no funds from the state, offers 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing. The university's online, competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank.
For more information, visit the WGU Washington website washington.wgu.edu or call 1-877-214-7004.
Contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell – Director of PR
801-428-5463
[email protected]
Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7004
washington.wgu.edu
SOURCE Western Governors University
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