The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, pronounced "woo-wee") lets students from 15 western states and three Pacific territories pay no more than 150% of a college's in-state tuition at participating public colleges in other western states, instead of full out-of-state tuition. As of September 2026, 169 colleges take part. WICHE, which runs the program, says students saved $13,060 each on average in 2025–26. Below are the four-year WUE colleges, by state, with their published tuition.
Where this information comes from
- The list of colleges is WICHE's own list of participating colleges and universities, dated September 2026. The program rules come from WICHE's WUE page, read on October 18, 2026.
- Tuition and fees are published prices before any aid, from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (the most recent year in its 2026 release, about 2023–24).
- "About 150% of in-state" is our rough estimate of the most a WUE student would pay: 1.5 times the college's in-state tuition and fees. WUE applies to tuition, and fees are often charged at the regular rate, so the real WUE price can be a little lower. Each college sets its own WUE rate; WICHE's WUE Savings Finder shows the current rate for each one.
- "Possible savings" is the out-of-state price minus that estimate, rounded to the nearest $100. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
How WUE works
- Who can use it: residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, plus American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Where: participating public colleges in a WICHE state or territory other than your own. Private colleges don't take part.
- What you pay: no more than 150% of the college's in-state tuition. Some colleges charge less.
- It isn't a scholarship. It's a reduced tuition rate, and you can still apply for financial aid.
- Each college sets its own rules. Colleges can require a minimum GPA, leave out certain majors, set early deadlines and limit how many WUE awards they give. Most accept transfer students, but some offer WUE only to first-year students.
WUE schools list 2026–27: four-year colleges by state
| College | State | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | About 150% of in-state | Possible savings vs. out-of-state | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | AK | $7,738 | $21,322 | $11,600 | $9,700 | |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | AK | $8,736 | $22,320 | $13,100 | $9,200 | |
| University of Alaska Southeast | AK | $7,056 | $20,640 | $10,600 | $10,100 | |
| Northern Arizona University | AZ | $13,009 | $29,881 | $19,500 | $10,400 | |
| University of Arizona† | AZ | $13,926 | $42,278 | $20,900 | $21,400 | |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | CA | $8,250 | $20,850 | $12,400 | $8,500 | |
| California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | CA | $7,780 | $20,380 | $11,700 | $8,700 | |
| California State University, Bakersfield | CA | $8,090 | $20,690 | $12,100 | $8,600 | |
| California State University, Channel Islands | CA | $7,159 | $19,759 | $10,700 | $9,000 | |
| California State University, Chico | CA | $8,472 | $21,072 | $12,700 | $8,400 | |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | CA | $7,449 | $20,049 | $11,200 | $8,900 | |
| California State University, East Bay | CA | $7,583 | $20,183 | $11,400 | $8,800 | |
| California State University, Fullerton | CA | $7,470 | $20,070 | $11,200 | $8,900 | |
| California State University, Los Angeles | CA | $7,160 | $19,760 | $10,700 | $9,000 | |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | CA | $7,779 | $20,379 | $11,700 | $8,700 | |
| California State University, Northridge | CA | $7,458 | $20,058 | $11,200 | $8,900 | |
| California State University, Sacramento | CA | $8,018 | $20,618 | $12,000 | $8,600 | |
| California State University, San Bernardino | CA | $8,093 | $20,693 | $12,100 | $8,600 | |
| California State University, San Marcos | CA | $8,082 | $20,682 | $12,100 | $8,600 | |
| California State University, Stanislaus | CA | $8,246 | $20,846 | $12,400 | $8,500 | |
| San Francisco State University | CA | $7,950 | $20,550 | $11,900 | $8,600 | |
| San Jose State University | CA | $8,410 | $21,010 | $12,600 | $8,400 | |
| Sonoma State University | CA | $8,624 | $21,224 | $12,900 | $8,300 | |
| University of California, Merced | CA | $15,623 | $49,823 | $23,400 | $26,400 | |
| Adams State University | CO | $9,824 | $21,944 | $14,700 | $7,200 | |
| Colorado Mesa University | CO | $9,927 | $25,124 | $14,900 | $10,200 | |
| Colorado State University | CO | $13,373 | $34,783 | $20,100 | $14,700 | |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | CO | $9,720 | $17,944 | $14,600 | $3,400 | |
| Fort Lewis College | CO | $9,958 | $21,526 | $14,900 | $6,600 | |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | CO | $11,124 | $30,684 | $16,700 | $14,000 | |
| Pikes Peak State College | CO | $4,510 | $17,110 | $6,800 | $10,300 | |
| University of Colorado, Colorado Springs | CO | $10,149 | $24,336 | $15,200 | $9,100 | |
| University of Colorado Denver / Anschutz Medical Campus | CO | $10,383 | $29,391 | $15,600 | $13,800 | |
| University of Northern Colorado | CO | $12,416 | $27,266 | $18,600 | $8,600 | |
| Western Colorado University | CO | $11,318 | $24,434 | $17,000 | $7,500 | |
| University of Guam | GU | $6,110 | $11,414 | $9,200 | $2,200 | |
| University of Hawai‘i at Hilo | HI | $7,838 | $20,798 | $11,800 | $9,000 | |
| University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa | HI | $12,186 | $34,218 | $18,300 | $15,900 | |
| University of Hawai‘i Maui College | HI | $3,284 | $8,420 | $4,900 | $3,500 | |
| University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu | HI | $7,584 | $20,544 | $11,400 | $9,200 | |
| Boise State University | ID | $9,048 | $27,788 | $13,600 | $14,200 | |
| Idaho State University | ID | $8,610 | $27,720 | $12,900 | $14,800 | |
| Lewis-Clark State College | ID | $7,610 | $22,028 | $11,400 | $10,600 | |
| University of Idaho | ID | $9,084 | $28,320 | $13,600 | $14,700 | |
| Montana State University, Billings | MT | $7,280 | $22,897 | $10,900 | $12,000 | |
| Montana State University (Bozeman) | MT | $8,460 | $33,287 | $12,700 | $20,600 | |
| Montana State University Northern | MT | $6,982 | $21,875 | $10,500 | $11,400 | |
| Montana Technological University | MT | $8,340 | $26,150 | $12,500 | $13,600 | |
| University of Montana | MT | $8,552 | $33,671 | $12,800 | $20,800 | |
| University of Montana Western | MT | $6,670 | $20,130 | $10,000 | $10,100 | |
| Nevada State University | NV | $6,765 | $21,833 | $10,100 | $11,700 | |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | NV | $9,748 | $27,411 | $14,600 | $12,800 | |
| University of Nevada, Reno | NV | $9,578 | $27,720 | $14,400 | $13,400 | |
| Eastern New Mexico University | NM | $7,194 | $9,174 | $10,800 | Little or none | |
| New Mexico Highlands University | NM | $7,416 | $12,336 | $11,100 | $1,200 | |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | NM | $9,476 | $27,247 | $14,200 | $13,000 | |
| New Mexico State University | NM | $8,183 | $25,307 | $12,300 | $13,000 | |
| Northern New Mexico College | NM | $6,400 | $14,328 | $9,600 | $4,700 | |
| University of New Mexico | NM | $10,140 | $33,060 | $15,200 | $17,800 | |
| Western New Mexico University | NM | $7,856 | $14,342 | $11,800 | $2,600 | |
| Dickinson State University | ND | $9,118 | $9,118 | $13,700 | Little or none | |
| Mayville State University | ND | $7,979 | $11,237 | $12,000 | Little or none | |
| Minot State University | ND | $8,702 | $8,702 | $13,100 | Little or none | |
| North Dakota State University | ND | $11,110 | $15,764 | $16,700 | Little or none | |
| University of North Dakota | ND | $10,951 | $15,570 | $16,400 | Little or none | |
| Valley City State University | ND | $8,514 | $13,544 | $12,800 | $800 | |
| Eastern Oregon University | OR | $11,076 | $25,431 | $16,600 | $8,800 | |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | OR | $13,260 | $37,196 | $19,900 | $17,300 | |
| Oregon State University (Corvallis and Cascades) | OR | $14,400 | $38,190 | $21,600 | $16,600 | |
| Portland State University | OR | $11,679 | $31,074 | $17,500 | $13,600 | |
| Southern Oregon University | OR | $12,762 | $31,887 | $19,100 | $12,700 | |
| Western Oregon University | OR | $11,879 | $32,534 | $17,800 | $14,700 | |
| Black Hills State University | SD | $8,764 | $11,866 | $13,100 | Little or none | |
| Dakota State University | SD | $9,654 | $12,756 | $14,500 | Little or none | |
| Northern State University | SD | $8,845 | $11,947 | $13,300 | Little or none | |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | SD | $10,500 | $14,900 | $15,800 | Little or none | |
| South Dakota State University | SD | $9,299 | $12,809 | $13,900 | Little or none | |
| University of South Dakota | SD | $9,432 | $12,942 | $14,100 | Little or none | |
| Southern Utah University | UT | $6,962 | $21,192 | $10,400 | $10,700 | |
| University of Utah | UT | $9,620 | $30,860 | $14,400 | $16,400 | |
| Utah State University | UT | $9,228 | $24,802 | $13,800 | $11,000 | |
| Utah Tech University | UT | $6,306 | $18,246 | $9,500 | $8,800 | |
| Utah Valley University | UT | $6,507 | $18,489 | $9,800 | $8,700 | |
| Weber State University | UT | $6,557 | $17,545 | $9,800 | $7,700 | |
| Central Washington University | WA | $9,417 | $27,526 | $14,100 | $13,400 | |
| Eastern Washington University | WA | $8,586 | $25,959 | $12,900 | $13,100 | |
| Evergreen State College | WA | $9,264 | $31,905 | $13,900 | $18,000 | |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | WA | $5,997 | $12,062 | $9,000 | $3,100 | |
| Washington State University (Pullman, Everett, Tri-Cities, Vancouver) | WA | $13,391 | $29,950 | $20,100 | $9,900 | |
| Western Washington University | WA | $9,582 | $28,707 | $14,400 | $14,300 | |
| University of Wyoming | WY | $7,768 | $24,178 | $11,700 | $12,500 | Sources: WICHE, participating colleges and universities as of September 2026; tuition and fees from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (about 2023–24). † The University of Arizona offers WUE in a limited number of majors. Campuses that share one federal record share a row. "Little or none" means the college's out-of-state price is already close to, or below, 150% of its in-state price. |
WICHE's full list also includes about 75 two-year community and technical colleges. WICHE's WUE Savings Finder shows them, along with each college's eligible majors and current WUE rate.
WUE schools in California
Nineteen California public colleges offer the WUE rate, according to WICHE's September 2026 list: 18 California State University campuses and UC Merced.
- California State University: Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal State Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fullerton, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Marcos and Stanislaus, plus San Francisco State, San Jose State and Sonoma State.
- University of California: UC Merced is the only UC campus on the list.
- Not on the list: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State and every other University of California campus.
These California colleges offer WUE to students from the other WUE states and territories. California residents already pay in-state tuition at them, and can use WUE at participating colleges in other western states, such as Northern Arizona University or the University of Nevada, Reno.
How to use WICHE's WUE Savings Finder
WICHE's WUE Savings Finder is the official tool for checking current WUE rates.
- Choose the state where you want to enroll, not your home state.
- Narrow by degree type, student status (first-year or transfer) and program or major. You can also show only majors available online at the WUE rate.
- Read the results by program: each row shows the school, its location, the major, the WUE tuition and the WUE deadline for fall admission.
- Confirm with the college. WICHE's main WUE page notes that colleges may set special eligibility requirements or annual limits on WUE awards, and lists contact information for each school.
What stands out
- WUE saves the most at large flagships with high out-of-state prices, such as the University of Arizona, the University of Montana, Montana State and UC Merced, where the estimate is $20,000 or more a year.
- In North Dakota, South Dakota and parts of New Mexico, WUE adds little. Their out-of-state prices are already close to in-state, so a student from another state pays about the same with or without it.
- Some well-known western public universities aren't on the list, including the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State and every University of California campus except Merced.
How to apply for WUE
- Check eligibility in WICHE's WUE Savings Finder: your home state, the college and your intended major.
- Meet the college's requirements and deadlines. WUE deadlines are sometimes earlier than regular admission deadlines.
- Apply to the college. You don't apply to WICHE. Some colleges consider every eligible applicant for WUE automatically; others ask you to request it.
- Contact the college if you're unsure. WICHE calls the college "the best source of information" about how to save through WUE.
Compare WUE with any merit scholarship the college offers, since some colleges don't let you combine them, and complete the FAFSA either way.
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FAQ
How do you pronounce WUE? "Woo-wee," according to WICHE, which runs the program.
What is WUE? The Western Undergraduate Exchange, run by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Students from participating western states and territories pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating public colleges in other WICHE states.
How many colleges are in WUE? 169 as of September 2026, including two-year and four-year public colleges.
Which states are in WUE? Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, plus American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Which California schools are in WUE? Eighteen California State University campuses, from Cal Poly Humboldt and Cal Poly Pomona to San Jose State and Sonoma State, plus UC Merced, according to WICHE's September 2026 list. They offer WUE to students from other western states.
Is UC Berkeley or UCLA part of WUE? No. UC Merced is the only University of California campus on WICHE's September 2026 list.
Is the University of Arizona a WUE school? Yes, but only for a limited number of majors.
Is the University of Washington a WUE school? No. Washington State, Western Washington, Central Washington and Eastern Washington are among those on WICHE's September 2026 list; the University of Washington isn't.
Is the University of Oregon part of WUE? No. Oregon State, Portland State and Oregon Tech are among those on the list; the University of Oregon isn't.
Is the University of Montana a WUE school? Yes. The University of Montana and Montana State are both on WICHE's September 2026 list.
Is Washington State a WUE school? Yes. Washington State University's Pullman, Everett, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses are on WICHE's September 2026 list.
Is WUE automatic? At some colleges, yes; others ask you to apply or request it separately. Check each college's requirements.
How much does WUE save? WICHE reports average savings of $13,060 per student in 2025–26. Our estimates for individual four-year colleges range from little or nothing to more than $20,000 a year.
Related
- Out-of-state acceptance rates at public universities
- Academic Common Market: in-state tuition in another southern state
- WUE, Academic Common Market and other ways to pay less out of state
- Out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities
Sources
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Western Undergraduate Exchange and list of participating colleges and universities (September 2026).
- WICHE, WUE Savings Finder.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (2026 release): published tuition and fees.