The WGU Effect | Lorilovesnevada

Self Paced Schooling, Competency Based Education

(aka the WGU effect)

Why does this get it's own page? Because it's the largest threat to traditional higher education.

Online degree programs offer a markedly higher return on a student's investment dollar allowing for accelerated learning and graduation. This means no to low student loans and entering the work force sooner.

Some models are a pay per course structure, but the most popular are pay by the month / degree plans. (Google - Self Paced Learning)

Tuition is markedly cheaper across the board, students pay one flat rate with no additional fees, and most of the universities are accredited and non-profit (thus can also offer financial aid and grants).

Several of the degrees offered by these institutions are similar to the standard traditional degrees offered by in person institutions.

These includes schools of: Business, Technology, Health & Nursing, & Education.

While these programs began by offering continuing education for working professionals who wanted to earn or finish a degree, the structure of these options has resonated with lower income students.

Employers generally see accelerated learning programs as a sign that an applicant is a self-starter.

Top 5 Reasons the nshe should be concerned

Aside from the flexibility to study and test at any time from anywhere, students also benefit from not paying for near campus housing, transportation, mandatory per credit fees, etc.

Scheduling around work hours, no to low cost learning materials, reduced stress, and more free time are an additional perk of online degrees.

WGU alone currently produces 5% of all Bachelor of Education degrees and provides training for roughly 2% of nurses in the US, according to Forbes.

In 2019, according to a Harvard Education Study, WGU graduates had higher employment rates and overall alumni satisfaction.

According to Media Radar, WGU spent roughly under $100 Million in advertising in 2025 over 250 different media properties (with a focus on streaming).

I'm Lori Lane, and I approve this message. My campaign is entirely funded and run by me.

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