Gallup-Purdue Index Finds WGU Grads Have Great Jobs, Great Lives

SALT LAKE CITY, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Graduates from Western Governors University (WGU) are more likely than graduates from other U.S. universities to have the jobs they want, feel engaged at work, and have an emotional attachment to their alma maters, according to a study conducted by Gallup in 2014.

The study, which included 4,000 WGU graduates, compared the WGU responses to the national data included in the Gallup-Purdue Index. Gallup and Purdue developed the index to examine the long-term success of graduates as they pursue a good job and a better life. The index provides insight into the relationship between the college experience and whether college graduates have great jobs and great lives.

According to the study:

• The employment rate for WGU alumni who have graduated within the last five years—79 percent—easily outdistances the national average of 66 percent.
• WGU graduates are more likely to be engaged employees—15 percent higher than the national average.
• WGU alumni are at least twice as likely as graduates of other institutions to be thriving in all five elements of well-being—purpose, social, financial, community, and physical.
• WGU alumni are almost twice as likely to be emotionally attached to their university than alumni from other types of universities—proof that personal connections are possible in distance learning.

"WGU grads are more than twice as likely than other college graduates to say they had a faculty member who encouraged their goals and dreams," said Brandon Busteed, Executive Director, Gallup Education.  "Given that Gallup has found this to be the single strongest element linked to long-term success in career and life, it's a hugely positive outcome.  It's not about simply having an advisor who provides course selection tips...WGU grads are being inspired and encouraged around their life goals and dreams." 

About WGU 
Established in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU is the pioneer and leader in competency-based education. The nonprofit, online university has been recognized by the White House as what works in post-secondary education, was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times.

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In 2014, the National Council on Teacher Quality ranked WGU's secondary teacher education program as number one among a nationwide list of 2,400 programs.  

WGU has earned the support of a number of leading corporations and foundations, including AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu or by calling 866.225.5948.

About Gallup
Gallup delivers forward-thinking research, analytics and advice to help leaders solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 75 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of the world's constituents, employees and customers than any other organization. Gallup consultants help private and public sector organizations boost organic growth through measurement tools, strategic advice and education. Gallup's 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web and in nearly 40 offices around the world.

For complete Gallup-Purdue index results, visit http://products.gallup.com/168857/gallup-purdue-index-inaugural-national-report.aspx.

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SOURCE Western Governors University

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