Gallup Study Reveals WGU Texas Graduates Have Greater Job Satisfaction and Well-Being

AUSTIN, Texas, April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the third year in a row, Gallup has released the results of a study that compares the satisfaction and overall well-being of Western Governors University (WGU) graduates with graduates from other institutions in the U.S. The study showed WGU graduates are more likely to have the jobs they want, feel engaged at work, and have an emotional attachment to the university.

According to the study:

• The employment rate for WGU alumni who have graduated within the last five years—81 percent—outdistances the national average of 74 percent.
• WGU graduates are more likely to be engaged employees— 15 percent higher than the national average.
• WGU graduates said their experience was worth the cost—73 percent compared to 38 percent.
• WGU alumni are nearly 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 universities—demonstrating that personal connections are possible in distance learning.

"WGU grads are twice as likely than other college graduates to say they had a mentor who encouraged their goals and dreams," said Brandon Busteed. "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."

"Another important part of the study focused on the unique support the university offers its military service members and veterans," said WGU Texas Chancellor Veronica Vargas Stidvent. "WGU Texas has been recognized as military-friendly, and Gallup found our military and veteran graduates surpassed their peers nationally on several metrics—70 percent strongly agreed their education was worth the cost, 68 percent felt WGU was the perfect school for people like them and 45 percent strongly agreed our university is passionate about their long-term success. We're proud we are able to support their unique educational needs."

2,700 WGU graduates took part in the survey that compared 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.

View the 2016 Gallup Report here.

About WGU Texas
WGU Texas is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Texans' access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Texas and nationally-recognized Western Governors University, WGU Texas is open to all qualified Texas residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

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).*

Learn more at texas.wgu.edu or call 1-877-214-7011.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

Follow WGU Texas:
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http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university 
http://twitter.com/wgutexas  

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SOURCE WGU Texas