Western Governors University.

• Position: Around Utah: SALT LAKE AREA

Salt Lake City -- WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY was awarded a certificate of excellence from USA Funds for achieving a significant reduction in its federal student loan default rate. In the U.S. Department of Education's annual report of three-year default rates, WGU's three-year rate improved to 5 percent from 6.6 percent for the previous period--a rate less than half the national average (for both public and private universities) of 11.8 percent.

WGU is now accepting applications for a new online master's degree program aimed at preparing professionals for senior...