Location: Salt Lake City, UT•In-State Tuition: $8,300
Median Earnings (1yr)
$95,292
95th percentile
Median Debt
$23,287
14% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.24 ManageableSample: 37 graduates

Analysis

Western Governors University's online software degree produces exceptional results that blow past both state and national competitors. Graduates earn $95,292 in their first year—nearly triple Utah's median for this degree and more than double the national median. Among the 197 schools offering this program nationwide, WGU ranks in the 95th percentile for earnings, and it dominates Utah's market entirely, with graduates earning roughly $62,000 more than peers from the University of Utah or Utah Valley University.

The debt picture strengthens the case further. At $23,287, borrowing sits right at Utah's median and slightly below the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24. That means graduates can theoretically pay off their entire loan balance in about three months of work. For a competency-based online program that serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (35%), these outcomes suggest WGU has cracked the code on delivering real software skills that employers value.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers could shift somewhat, but the margin of superiority here is so wide that minor fluctuations wouldn't change the fundamental story. If your child is self-directed enough to thrive in an online, self-paced environment, this program delivers strong ROI with manageable debt—a combination that's surprisingly rare even among traditional tech programs.

Where Western Governors University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

Western Governors UniversityOther computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Western Governors University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Western Governors University earns $95k — 95th percentile among computer software and media applications bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City$8,300$95,292—$23,2870.24
University of UtahSalt Lake City$9,315$33,508—$23,2500.69
Utah Valley UniversityOrem$6,270$32,743$48,538——
National Median—$38,234—$27,0000.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Western Governors University, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 49 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.