The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program through which students in participating states may enroll in designated two-year and four-year public institutions and programs in other participating states at a special, reduced tuition level. Tuition for WUE students is 150% of the regular in-state tuition which is substantially less than nonresident tuition. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need to receive the WUE tuition benefit.

To be eligible for the WUE, students must be a resident of a participating state, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Each state determines which institutions and programs it will make available to students in the WUE. Eligibility for admission and for WUE tuition is determined by each participating institution. V isit the WUE website at http://wue.wiche.edu/ for additional information concerning school specific requirements, as well as for a list of participating schools.

FAQ

What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
If you are a resident of a WICHE state, you are eligible to request a reduced WUE tuition rate of 150% of the resident rate at one of the 145 participating colleges and universities in the West. Virtually all undergraduate fields are available to WUE students at participating colleges and universities. Some institutions have opened their entire curriculum on a space-available or first-come, first-serve basis; others offer only designated programs at the reduced WUE rate.
To be eligible for WUE, students must be a resident of a WICHE state (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming).
The Western Undergraduate Exchange allows students to attend a university in one of fifteen western states at 150% of the in-state tuition. This is a savings of thousands of dollars over the out of state tuition rate students would otherwise pay.
Your residency alone is does not guarantee you the WUE rate. Some colleges and universities also have additional criteria such as ACT/SAT test scores or high school GPA. WICHE does not set qualification criteria for WUE applicants, nor do we process applications or participate in the student selection process.

The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early! Consult each institution’s profile for admissions requirements and application deadlines.

Apply for admission directly to the WUE institution(s) of your choice. There is no general WUE application. If the institution that you are applying to uses a hard copy application, mark prominently on the form that you seek admission at the WUE rate. For online applications, check the WUE box and if there is not one provided, contact the school admissions office on how to apply for the WUE discounted rate.

Although some institutions automatically consider applicants from a WICHE state for the WUE rate, most require that you request the special WUE rate at the time of application for admission, or that you apply for the WUE rate through their scholarship or financial aid office.

The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!

If you are admitted to a WUE institution at the reduced rate, keep all copies of correspondence confirming your WUE award.

A list of participating institutions is available at http://wue.wiche.edu/search1.jsp.
Learn more at http://wiche.edu/wue.