WGU Indiana Celebrates Four Years
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe state's online university says it will mark its fourth anniversary by expanding student opportunities and corporate partnerships. WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber says the school will soon unveil the largest scholarship campaign in its history. Since it was established in 2010, the university has not increased tuition and enrollment has grown from about 260 students to more than 3,400. WGU is planning several events this month throughout Indiana to celebrate the anniversary. WGU says it has awarded more than 1,400 degrees and granted $385,000 scholarship dollars since 2012.
June 2, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — WGU Indiana today announces special plans to recognize its fourth year as Indiana's only online, nonprofit state university during the month of June. First established on June 9, 2010, by the State of Indiana, the anniversary marks a special period for WGU Indiana as it begins another year with no tuition increases – currently $6,000 annually. WGU Indiana is the only college in the state that has not raised tuition rates in four years, since its inception.
WGU Indiana has plans to celebrate during the month of June with four major initiatives, which include:
New scholarships: On June 9, WGU Indiana will announce a significant amount of new scholarship dollars that will be available to new WGU Indiana students. This will be the largest amount of student aid awarded in the school's history, making one of Indiana’s most affordable universities even more accessible.
New community partnership: WGU Indiana is proud to announce a new partnership with Indiana Pacers' Bikeshare, a new program on the streets of Indianapolis that provides bikes for rent for residents and visitors to the city. WGU Indiana becomes the 11th partner in the program, and it will begin June 12.
New corporate partners: WGU Indiana will announce new corporate partner companies whose employees receive tuition discounts and scholarship opportunities.
Community events: WGU Indiana is planning several events to commemorate the anniversary.
• Throughout June – WGU Indiana's Facebook page will host several competitions and will award various prizes to winners. Please check www.facebook.com/WGUIndiana for more details.
• June 5 and 19 – WGU Indiana will take part in Statehouse Market Days on Robert D. Orr Plaza from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• June 6 and 27 – WGU Indiana will sponsor Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s Food Truck Fridays on Georgia Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• June 9-13 – Indianapolis IPL Building on Monument Circle will be lit with the number “4” to recognize the anniversary.
• June 17 – WGU Indiana will sponsor Fort Wayne Downtown Improvement District’s Lunch on the Square from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Alumni Events – Four WGU Indiana alumni events will be planned throughout the month around Indiana. Information regarding these events is forthcoming and will be posted on WGU Indiana’s Facebook page.
“WGU Indiana will be in full force during June,” said Chancellor Allison Barber. “We're very excited to celebrate our growth these past four years, and we couldn't be prouder of what’s to come throughout June and into our next four years as Indiana’s only online state university.”
WGU Indiana four-year accomplishments:
Since 2010, WGU Indiana has been focused on expanding access to higher education for Indiana residents. Most of WGU Indiana’s students are working adults who want to complete their bachelor’s degree or earn their master’s degree. As of June 1, 2014, the university:
• Has awarded 1,460 degrees and has an enrollment of 3,645. Students can be found in all 92 Indiana counties.
• Granted $385,000 in 2013. In addition, more than 85 percent of students receive some type of financial aid.
• Maintained a one-year retention rate of 78 percent, compared to the national average one-year retention rate at public four-year institutions of 73 percent.
• Has never raised tuition. The cost of tuition per year is $6,000, making it an affordable option for those looking to go further in education.
• Measures the average return on investment for a bachelor’s degree at 2 to 3 years. WGU Indiana students experience an average increase in income of $9,000 in the first three years after graduation. This extra income covers the average cost of a WGU Indiana bachelor's degree – $18,000.
• Offers 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, information technology and health care – some of the most in-demand Hoosier fields.
• Uses a competency-based model of education that allows students to proceed at their own pace. Competency-based education was named one of the top 10 trends in education in 2014 by eCampusnews.com
• Received credit in 2012 by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education in its Reaching Higher, Achieving More agenda for its excellence in academic quality.
To learn more about WGU Indiana, visit indiana.wgu.edu.
About WGU Indiana
WGU Indiana is the state's nonprofit, online university established by the State of Indiana to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. Using a competency-based model that allows students to proceed at their own pace and curriculum developed with input from leading employers, WGU Indiana offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Business, Education, Information Technology and Healthcare Professions, including Nursing. The university was also recognized as one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2013
Source: WGU Indiana