Updated at: 01-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Many students at the undergraduate level had hoped to attend schools located in other states. This could be due to the schools’ competitive acceptance rates or improved infrastructure.

However, due to the high tuition cost, these aspirations remain unrealized. Native students typically pay a lower tuition rate than international students.

As a result, international students may be restricted from applying to colleges and universities in their preferred locations. Many students’ hopes and expectations have been dashed as a result of this issue.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education leaders recognized the need to devise a solution to this issue. As a result of this change, tuition costs will no longer be a deterrent for students studying abroad.

The goal of the Western Undergraduate for Higher Education program is to lower tuition costs for international students attending universities in the western United States.

To elaborate, this is an arrangement between colleges in the western states to reduce the out-of-pocket costs of higher education for students in each of the member states.

If the tuition at a university in Northern America is $5,000 for local students and $15,000 for international students, the tuition for international students from WUE states might be set at $10,000.

In other words, tuition for WUE students won’t be as high as it is for other international students. In a nutshell, students from WUE member states can take advantage of reduced tuition rates at some western state colleges.

While many western public universities are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, some are not. So, in this piece, I will provide a directory of institutions participating in the WUE initiative.

Best WUE Schools

Best wue schools

University of Wyoming

Established in March of 1886, the University of Wyoming is a public, research institution. Laramie, Wyoming is the home of the University of Wyoming.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, and Law are the seven colleges at the University of Wyoming. Over 120 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs are available at the University of Wyoming. Wyoming University operates on a semester system.

Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University

Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dickinson State University is a public institution of higher education. In 1918, it was founded as Dickinson State Normal School, a tuition-free public university. Before that year, 1987, it had never been a degree-granting university.

The university’s 10 departments allow for the conferral of bachelor’s degrees in more than seventy different subject areas. Certificates and associate degrees are available too. The fields of business management, teaching, and nursing are, however, where it truly shines. Moreover, enrollment at Dickinson State University is not restricted.

Montana State University

Established in 1893, Montana State University (MSU) is a public research institution in the city of Bozeman, Montana.

The nine colleges at Montana State University combine to grant bachelor’s degrees in 60 areas, master’s degrees in 68 areas, and doctoral degrees in 35 areas.

There are currently 17,345 enrolled students and a total of 3,546 faculty and staff at the university. Applying to Montana State University, one of the top WUE institutions, would be a wise decision.

Eastern Washington University

Public higher education is available at Eastern Washington University. It opened its doors in 1882. The main campus is in Cheney, but classes can also be taken at EWU Spokane’s Riverpoint Campus or at any of the other campuses spread out across Washington.

The University College, the College of Arts, Letters, and Education, the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the College of Social Sciences, the College of Health Science and Public Health, and the College of Social Work make up the academic structure at EWU. You can apply to any of the many great degree programs at EWU, which is ranked highly among WUE universities.

Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University

The city of Spearfish, South Dakota is home to the public Black Hills State University. The school first opened its doors in 1883. The three (3) colleges at Black Hills State University are home to approximately 4,356 total students.

Over eighty undergraduate majors and minors, nine master’s degree programs, six associate degree programs, and twenty professional programs are all available to students at Black Hills State University.

Black Hills State University has a rolling admissions deadline, so don’t wait to submit your application if you’re interested in studying there. Black Hills State University requires a $20 application fee. The 15th of July is the deadline for submitting ACT or SAT test results.

University of Hawaii Maui College

Located in Kahului on the island of Maui, the University of Hawaii Maui College is a public university affiliated with the University of Hawaii. Established in 1931 as the Maui Vocational School, the name of what is now known as the University of Hawaii, Maui College was changed in 2010 to better reflect the institution’s three baccalaureate degrees.

Certificates, diplomas, and associate and bachelor’s of applied science degrees can all be earned at the University of Hawaii at Maui College. If you’re interested in attending a WUE university, UHMC is a strong contender.

University of Nevada

A public research university in the United States, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas can be found in the city of Paradise.

The estimated number of undergraduates attending the university is 18,958. Popular programs of study include Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The acceptance rate at the University of Nevada is 83%, while the graduation rate is 39%. The annual fee to attend this institution is $11,582.

Minot State University

Minot State University

Yes, Minot, North Dakota is home to a public university. Minot Normal School opened in 1913, and since then Minot State Institution has developed into a full-fledged university.

The university offers nine (9) master’s degrees and 1 education specialist degree in areas like communication disorders, administration, and mathematics.

Minot State University has a 64% acceptance rate and a 48% graduation rate. The price tag for their education is $7,064.

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America is home to the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1954, Anchorage got its own community college. When it expanded from a two-year to a four-year institution in 1977, Anchorage Community College became the Institution of Alaska, Anchorage.

In addition to accounting, nursing, and the liberal arts, UAA also offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. There is an 83% and 31% acceptance rate at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Their tuition is $12,543 per year.

New Mexico State University

Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM), a public research university with a focus on undergraduate education. The university first opened its doors to students on February 28th, 1889.

There will be about 25,454 students enrolled in the fall of 2021, and the university will offer over 215 degree and certificate programs across 12 different schools. This includes 94 baccalaureate degrees, 71 master’s degrees, and 37 doctoral programs.

The acceptance rate at the University of New Mexico is 96%, and the graduation rate is 48%. Cost of Education = $8,929.

Oregon Institute of Technology

Oregon Institute of Technology

When it comes to technical education, no institution compares to the OIT. It’s in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and the atmosphere there is ideal for teaching.

Roughly 2,000 undergrads make up the school’s undergraduate population. The stability of the student-teacher ratio is maintained at this low number.

Sonography/Ultrasound Technology, Medical Technology, Laboratory Technology, and Dental Technology are just some of the areas of study offered at OIT.

The university also offers the first course of its kind in the United States in renewable energy engineering.

Mayville State University

Students at Mayville State University can choose from a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. The aforementioned schools offer interdisciplinary programs that span both technology and engineering. Science, humanities, business, and finance courses are all available.

Over 1,000 undergraduates study on a campus that spans more than 50 acres at this university. Many consider MSU to be among the best 20 WUE institutions in the country.

Mayville State University has not only set up a WUE program but also a number of scholarships to aid her students financially.

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Since its founding in 1965, the undergraduate student body at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has grown to include more than 12,000. It is widely considered to be among the elite WUE institutions.

Class sizes are kept deliberately small at the college to promote student-instructor interaction and foster an environment conducive to learning.

The University of Colorado has expanded its curriculum to include non-traditional subjects like museum studies, gallery practice, data analysis, system engineering, digital filmmaking, and related courses, in addition to its traditional offerings.

As a result of this progress, students now have access to a broader selection of elective courses from which to choose.

Black Hills State University

We rank this WUE institution as number one. South Dakota is home to Black Hills State University, which strives to give her students the best possible education.

There is a $20 application fee at Black Hills State University. This fee is identical for both traditional and WUE students and is non-refundable under any circumstances.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is an above-average public research institution located in Paradise, Nevada. There are a lot of students there; 18,958 undergraduates to be exact. Hospitality and Tourism Management, Psychology, and Criminology and Safety Studies are all offered as degrees at this institution.

Educators at WUE Institutions The state of Nevada is home to a number of prestigious postgraduate institutions. These include the College of Education, the College of Business, and the highly regarded William S. Boyd School of Law.

However, in order to receive the WUE from the University of Nevada, students must have a 3.25 GPA in required courses and a 26 ACT or 1240 SAT composite score.

Weber State University

Located in the mountains of northern Utah is the public Weber State University. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established the institution in 1889; the first four-year degrees were granted in 1964; and the current name dates back to 1991. The majority of Weber State’s enrollment is in its undergraduate program. It has a large percentage of part-time students—more than 50%.

Former US Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, US Ambassador to NATO David M. Kennedy, and Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard are all Weber State alums.

Boise State University

Boise State University is an excellent public institution that can be found in Boise, Idaho. There are 12,477 undergraduates enrolled at this university, making it quite large. Business, Nursing, and Communication are just some of the undergraduate options at WUE Idaho. The state capital of Idaho, Boise is home to Boise State University.

In contrast, Boise State offers over 170 majors and concentrations to its students, such as master’s degrees in business, education, and the arts.

FAQs

What is WUE, and how does it work?

It is the mission of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to support the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, pronounced “woo-wee”), a provincial tuition savings program. Over 160 public colleges and universities in the Western United States participate in WUE, allowing students from the 16 WICHE member states and regions to enroll as nonresidents and pay 150% (or less) of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition.

What GPA do you need for WUE?

Freshmen Minimum Requirements for Transfer Students: SAT or ACT Composite Score of 1270 OR High School GPA of 3.2 (unweighted) Minimum 3.0 overall and college transferable GPA

What is the purpose of the WUE program?

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement described in this post that applies to all 16 of WICHE’s member countries. Western students can take advantage of substantial nonresident tuition discounts at over 160 participating public colleges and universities thanks to this initiative.

Conclusion

In this piece, we compiled a list of the top Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) schools so that you can apply to one and take advantage of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education’s (WICHE) discounted tuition savings program.

We have also done our best to ensure that the data we have provided is accurate, but please keep in mind that admissions data and statistics are constantly evolving. You should always double-check this information with the school’s admissions office or online at the respective institution’s website we link to.