Education Note: Western International University
University
Western International University, founded in 1978 in Arizona, was a private for-profit institution established to serve adult learners through flexible education programs. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the university operated with approximately 905 total students (597 undergraduate) and maintained accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools until its closure. The institution aimed to provide accessible education focused on "academic quality and global awareness" while serving working adult students. Despite its mission, the university struggled with extremely low retention rates (13%) and graduation rates (3-15%), along with high student loan default rates. Western International University permanently closed its operations and serves as a cautionary example of the challenges faced by for-profit institutions in maintaining educational quality and student success.
Western International University stands out as one of the worst-performing institutions in American higher education history with its abysmal 3% graduation rate, meaning 97% of students who enrolled failed to complete their degrees. The university's 13% retention rate indicates that 87% of students did not even return after their first year, suggesting severe systemic issues with academic support, student services, and educational quality. Despite charging significant tuition, student outcomes were consistently poor, with graduates reporting modest earnings of $42,500 even ten years after graduation - a figure made more concerning by the fact that it only represents the tiny fraction of students who managed to graduate. The institution's for-profit model appeared to prioritize enrollment over student success, as evidenced by inadequate academic resources and support services for its working adult student population. Western International University ultimately closed its doors permanently, leaving behind a legacy as a cautionary tale of institutional failure and highlighting the devastating impact of prioritizing profit over student outcomes in higher education.
Title: Western International University
Student Body
At Western International University, the student body consisted primarily of working adults seeking flexible degree programs, with a total enrollment of 905 students (597 undergraduate) before its closure. The institution struggled significantly with student success metrics, posting one of the nation's lowest graduation rates at 3-15% and a concerning retention rate of just 13%. Students who did graduate reported average earnings of $42,500 ten years after completion, though this figure must be contextualized by the small percentage who actually completed their programs. The university maintained a relatively low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, though this did not translate into stronger student outcomes. While specific demographic data about average student age and notable alumni is not available in the records, the institution's focus on working adults and flexible learning formats suggests a non-traditional student population.