Western Governors University vs University of Phoenix-Arizona

Western Governors University and University of Phoenix-Arizona are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Cost: Western Governors University offers a lower average net price at $10,442, which is $3,129 less than University of Phoenix-Arizona ($13,571). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Western Governors University earn a median salary of $60,615 ten years after enrollment, which is $22,863 more than University of Phoenix-Arizona graduates ($37,752).

Graduation: Western Governors University leads with a 50.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 61.5% vs 40.9%.

Campus Size: Western Governors University is the larger campus with 135,822 total students, while University of Phoenix-Arizona has 76,996.

Bottom Line: Western Governors University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.