View or download the 2006-08 WRGP handout (
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The Western Regional Graduate Program makes high-quality, distinctive graduate programs available to students of the West at a reasonable cost. As part of the Student Exchange Program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, WRGP helps place students in a wide range of graduate programs, all designed around the educational, social, and economic needs of the West.
Through WRGP, residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to enroll in available programs outside of their home state at resident tuition rates. Students need not meet financial aid criteria.
To be included in WRGP, programs must meet the criteria of distinctiveness and quality. Programs are nominated by their institutions, peer reviewed by other graduate institutions in the West, and approved biannually by the Student Exchange Program Advisory Council, a policy body that represents all participating states. We’ve added nine new programs this past year.
To receive WRGP tuition status, students simply apply directly to the institutions of their choice and identify themselves as WICHE WRGP applicants.
Students should call or write the contact person listed with each program entry for information and to apply for admission. WGRP students must fulfill all the usual requirements of the institution concerned and meet all admission deadlines.
For a list of participating programs and contact persons, email to WICHE at info-sep@wiche.edu, or contact any western state graduate school.
Most universities participating in WRGP are members of the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS). Their website has links to graduate schools throughout the western United States and western Canadian provinces. Information on graduate programs is available on many of these institutional websites.
How do you apply for WRGP status? Students should apply for admission to the program through the regular admissions process. The student should also contact the person named in this brochure and let him or her know that the student is applying as a WICHE WRGP student.
How do you establish residency for the program? WRGP is open to all residents of the 14 participating states. Normally, students should be a resident of one of these states for at least one year before applying for admission as a WRGP student. Determination of residency is usually made by the institution where the student is enrolling. If necessary, the WICHE certifying officer of the student’s home state can assist the institution in making a determination of residency. Contact the WICHE Student Exchange Program office for assistance (303/541-0270).
What does a student do if he/she is billed at the wrong tuition rate? Occasionally, a student is incorrectly billed for the full nonresident tuition. If this happens, contact the program for help. It is the responsibility of the student’s program to inform campus accounting and registrar offices of a student’s WRGP status. The program or institution can contact WICHE for clarification or assistance.
Can a student attend part-time as a WRGP student? Part-time students are eligible to participate if they have been admitted to a WRGP program.
How are new programs added to WRGP? New programs are added every two years. Programs must submit a proposal, which is reviewed by faculty and academic administrators from universities throughout the West. Western graduate schools are notified in the fall of odd-numbered years of the upcoming nomination process.
