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The Western Undergraduate Exchange caps your tuition at 150% of in-state rates at 160+ public schools across the West — often saving $10,000–$20,000 per year versus full nonresident tuition. Here is how it works and where it breaks.
1. What WUE actually is
The Western Undergraduate Exchange lets students from 16 western states (including Arizona) pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating schools — instead of full nonresident rates that often run 250–300%.
2. The math
If in-state tuition at a school is $10,000, nonresident is often $28,000+. WUE caps you at $15,000 — saving $13,000+ per year, $50,000+ over four years.
3. Where it applies
160+ public schools in AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, plus the Pacific islands (CNMI, Guam). Browse the full list at wiche.edu/wue.
4. How to get it
It is NOT automatic. Some schools admit you to WUE rates by checkbox on the application; others treat it as a competitive scholarship with GPA cutoffs and earlier deadlines. Check each school's WUE page.
Quick example
University of Nevada, Reno: in-state ≈ $9,000/yr → nonresident ≈ $26,000/yr → WUE ≈ $13,500/yr. That's roughly $50,000 saved over four years — more than most merit scholarships.
✗ Not every program qualifies
Some schools exclude high-demand majors (nursing, engineering, business) from WUE rates. Verify YOUR major is WUE-eligible at each school before building your list around it.
✗ Deadlines come early
Schools that treat WUE as competitive often award it first-come or with priority deadlines months before regular admission deadlines. Apply early.
✗ It can conflict with merit scholarships
At many schools you get WUE rates OR a nonresident merit scholarship — not both. Sometimes the merit award is bigger. Ask the school to run both numbers.
✗ Residency clock risk
Time on WUE rates usually does NOT count toward establishing residency in the new state. If your plan was "pay WUE for a year, then become a resident," check the state's rules first — most block this.
✗ You can lose it
Some schools require a minimum GPA or continuous full-time enrollment to keep WUE rates. Know the renewal terms like you would any scholarship.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas / Reno
Both are WUE participants; popular with AZ students for proximity
New Mexico State / University of New Mexico
Neighboring state, generous WUE access
Northern Colorado, Colorado State–Pueblo
Several Colorado publics participate (CU Boulder and CSU Fort Collins do NOT)
University of Utah / Utah State
Utah publics participate with competitive GPA cutoffs
Boise State / University of Idaho
Strong WUE pipelines, growing campuses
Western Washington / Eastern Washington
Washington participates selectively — UW Seattle does NOT
Always verify current participation and rates at wiche.edu — schools join and leave, and flagship campuses often opt out.
Weighing an out-of-state WUE school against staying in Arizona? Compare real out-of-pocket costs with the aid offer guide and add candidates to your college list.