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Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

America’s largest regional interstate tuition savings program

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 members, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Click here for the full list of participating WUE schools!

Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. 

Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.

Saving through WUE is simple.

1Check your eligibility

You must be a resident of a WICHE-region state or territory and applying to a participating public school in another Western state.

2Check schools and degrees

Search the WUE Savings Finder to see which majors are eligible for the WUE rate by school.

3Meet your school’s WUE requirements

Institutions may require a minimum GPA, exclude selected majors, have early application deadlines, and/or limit the number of students awarded the WUE rate. Use the WUE Savings Finder and contact your school of interest directly about their WUE requirements.

4Apply directly to the school

Contact the school’s admissions, financial aid, or scholarship office to let them know you’re seeking WUE. Contact information for each school is available on the WUE Savings Finder.

Carter Carillon Tradition, new students walk from the America First Event Center at the conclusion of their Welcome Assembly to the Upper Quad and pass underneath the Carter Carillon where they are officially welcomed to the University by returning students, administration, faculty, staff and alumni.
In Focus

Choose from 160+ WUE schools

The WUE Savings Finder houses profiles of all WUE-eligible colleges, universities, and majors, tuition savings, and more. To begin your WUE journey, click below to search by state, major, and other parameters.

WUE SAVINGS FINDER
$559.1MAY 2023-24 student tuition savings through WUE
$11,834Average savings per student during AY 2023-24
37%Growth in WUE savings since 2019
Graduates make their way into the College of Health Solutions Convocation at Wells Fargo Arena Friday evening on May 12, 2017Quentin, Hawai'i, Political Science, University of Northern Colorado

“WUE made it possible for me to attend an out-of-state university that offered my major: a bachelor’s in dental hygiene. It’s also challenged me to work for my goals within a set timeframe.”

— MEGAN

ARIZONA, DENTAL HYGIENE, IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY

“WUE helped me to leave my home and comfort zone and be able to study alongside people with different beliefs, characteristics, and lifestyles than me.”

— QUENTIN

HAWAII
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO

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