Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Spynaija
For students seeking an affordable college education without sacrificing quality, attending a WUE school is an excellent option. With a total of 163 participating institutions across 16 states and territories, finding the best WUE school can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best WUE schools in the country based on factors such as academic reputation, affordability, and student satisfaction. Whether you’re interested in STEM, liberal arts, or something in between, there is a WUE school out there for you.
What is WUE, and how does it work?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, pronounced “woo-wee”) is a provincial tuition savings program aided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WUE allows students from one of the 16 WICHE member states and regions in the Western U.S. to enroll as nonresidents in the 163 WUE participating public colleges and universities and pay 150% (or less) of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition.
Best WUE Schools in 2023
Below is a list of some of the best WUE schools, their respective acceptance rates, graduation rates, and every other thing you need to know to help you make an informed decision in your academic pursuit. Grab a cup of popcorn, as it promises to be an informative read!
1. Lewis–Clark State College
Lewis–Clark State College is a public college located at 500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501, United States. The birth of the Lewis–Clark State College can be traced back to January 27th, 1893, when the then Idaho Governor William J. McConnell signed an act authorizing the establishment of the Lewiston State Normal School in Lewiston, Idaho, United States. Lewis–Clark State College offers over 130 academic programs in various academic disciplines. Some of the well-known programs include; social work, criminal justice, education, nursing, and technical programs.
Lewis–Clark State College has been rated as one of the best WUE schools in the US. The college has an annual enrollment of approximately 3,600 students.
- WUE school Tuition: $8,739
- Lewis–Clark State College Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 28%
2. University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is a public research university founded in March 1886. The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming, United States.
The University of Wyoming has a total of seven colleges, namely: agriculture and natural resources, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, applied sciences, health sciences, and law. The University of Wyoming offers over 120 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, including a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Juris Doctor. Wyoming University uses a semester-based academic calendar.
The University of Wyoming has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,875
- WUE Tuition: $7,200
- University of Wyoming Acceptance rate: 96%
- Graduation rate: 58%
3. Weber State University
Weber State University is a public university in Ogden, Utah. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a public university located in Ogden, Utah, in the United States.
It became a degree-awarding institution in 1991 upon accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Weber State University offers more than 250 certificate and degree programs spread across the seven colleges in the institution, namely: the College of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology; the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities; the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics; the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education; the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions; and the College of Science and Social & Behavioral Sciences.
- WUE school Tuition: $8,207
- Weber State University Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 44%
4. Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University is a public university in Dickinson, North Dakota. It was first established as a tuition-free institution in 1918 as Dickinson State Normal School. It was never a degree-awarding institution until 1987.
Dickinson State University awards bachelor’s degrees in more than 75 academic fields through the 10 academic departments in the institution. The university also offers certificates and associate degrees. However, it specializes in business management, teacher education, and nursing. Furthermore, Dickinson State University has an open admissions policy
- WUE school Tuition: $9,570
- Dickinson State University Acceptance rate: 99%
- Graduation rate: 39%
5. Boise State University
Boise State University is a public research university located in Boise, Idaho. Boise State University was founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church; the institution became an independent junior college in 1934 and has been awarding baccalaureate and master’s degrees since 1965, after its accreditation.
Boise State University offers over 100 graduate programs in various academic fields, including the MBA and MAcc programs in the College of Business and Economics; master’s and doctoral programs in the Colleges of Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Education; and the MPA program in the School of Public Service. It is classified among “R2: Doctoral Universities—High Research Activity.”
- WUE school Tuition: $8,298
- Boise State University Acceptance rate: 79%
- Graduation rate: 45%
6. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is a public research university located in Paradise, Nevada, United States.
The university has over 18,000 undergraduate students. The institution is known for its top major programs, which include hospitality and tourism management, psychology, and criminal justice and safety studies.
- WUE school Tuition: $11,520
- The University of Nevada’s Acceptance rate is 83%
- Graduation rate: 39%
7. Montana State University
Montana State University offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 academic disciplines, master’s degrees in 68 disciplines, and doctoral degrees in 35 fields spread across its nine colleges.
The university currently has an estimated student population of 17,345 and a total of 3546 academic and administrative staff. Montana State University is one of the best WUE schools you can apply to.
- WUE school Tuition: $8,736
- Montana State University Acceptance rate: 85%
- Graduation rate: 56%
8. Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university located in Minot, North Dakota.
Minot State University was founded in 1913 as Minot Normal School and has since evolved from a normal school to a full-fledged university.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various disciplines, which include arts and sciences, business, education, and health sciences, spread across the three (3) colleges of the university.
The university offers a total of nine (9) master’s degrees and one education specialist degree in such areas as communication disorders, management, and mathematics.
- WUE school Tuition: $7,168
- Minot State University Acceptance rate: 64%
- Graduation rate: 48%
9. Mayville State University
- WUE school Tuition is $9,775
- Mayville State University Acceptance rate: 58%
- Graduation rate: 47%
10. University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage is a public research university in Anchorage, Alaska, in the United States. It was first founded as Anchorage Community College in 1954. In 1977, the Anchorage Community College became a four-year university and was renamed the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers majors in liberal arts and humanities, nursing, and accounting.
And also, it is one of the best WUE schools to which you can apply to study nursing.
- WUE school Tuition: $10,530
- University of Alaska Anchorage Acceptance rate: 83%
- Graduation rate: 31%
11. Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a public university. It was founded in 1882. The university is located in Cheney, Washington, with academic programs offered at campuses in Cheney, EWU Spokane at the Riverpoint Campus, and at multiple campus locations throughout the state.
EWU is academically divided into six colleges, namely: the College of Arts, Letters, and Education; the College of Business and Public Administration; the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; the College of Social Sciences; the College of Health Science and Public Health; and the University College. EWU is one of the best WUE schools, and you can apply for any of the available degree programs you like.
- WUE school Tuition: $10,790
- Eastern Washington University Acceptance rate: 95%
- Graduation rate: 48%
12. University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico is a four-year public research institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The university was founded on February 28, 1889. The university offers more than 215 degree and certificate programs, including 94 baccalaureates, 71 master’s degrees, and 37 doctoral degrees, spread across 12 colleges with about 25,454 students in fall 2021.
The University of New Mexico is among the list of WUE schools that utilize a semester-based academic calendar.
- WUE school Tuition: $12,756
- University of New Mexico Acceptance rate: 96%
- Graduation rate: 48%
13. Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a public university located in Spearfish, South Dakota. The university was founded in 1883. Black Hills State University has a student population of about 4,356 students spread across the three (3) colleges that make up the institution.
Black Hills State University awards degrees to students in over 80 majors and minors, 9 master’s degree programs, 6 associate degree programs, and 20 professional programs.
Furthermore, when applying to study at Black Hills State University, it’s important to note that the application deadline is rolling. The application fee at Black Hills State University is $20. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due July 15th.
- WUE school Tuition: $10,718
- Black Hills State University Acceptance rate: 80%
- Graduation rate: 33%
14. Colorado State University-Pueblo
Colorado State University provides relevant professional coursework, hands-on research experiences, and superior instruction with a small faculty-to-student ratio.
- WUE school Tuition: $17,187
- Colorado State University Acceptance rate: 96%
- Graduation rate: 32%
15. University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado—Denver is a public institution founded in 1912. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 15,586 students spread across the eight (8) colleges in the institution. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
The university offers degrees in various academic fields such as music, engineering, business, film & television, culture, history, language, digital design, the natural sciences, and biomedical sciences.
Furthermore, the University of Colorado Denver has the largest graduate business school and graduate school of education in Colorado.
- WUE school Tuition: $20,925
- University of Colorado Acceptance rate: 68%
- Graduation rate: 56%
16. University of Hawaii Maui College
- WUE school Tuition: $5,895
- The University of Hawaii Maui College Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 87%
17. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
18. Oregon Institute of Technology
- WUE School Tuition: $15,003
- Oregon Institute of Technology Acceptance rate: 61%
- Graduation rate: 41%
19. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech, formerly the New Mexico School of Mines) is a public university in Socorro, New Mexico. The institution was founded in 1889. It offers over 30 bachelor of science degrees in technology, the sciences, engineering, management, and technical communication, as well as graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels.
- WUE school Tuition: $11,496
- The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Acceptance rate: 22%
- Graduation rate: 45%
20. Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public research university based out of Flagstaff, Arizona. Northern Arizona University was founded in 1899 as the final public university established in the Arizona Territory, 13 years before Arizona was admitted as the 48th state of America.
The institution offers a student-centered experience through rigorous academic programs conducted by dedicated, world-renowned scholars and researchers.
The institution offers over 130 undergraduate degree programs, more than 80 master’s degree programs, and about 20 doctoral programs, along with 50 undergraduate and 40 graduate certificates.
- WUE school Tuition Fees: $16,536
- Graduation rate: 65%
Recommended Topics:
- List of 163 WUE Schools
- Best WUE Schools for Computer Science, Acceptance Rates & Average GPAs
- Best WUE Schools for Engineering
- List of WUE Schools in California, Acceptance Rates & Tuitions
- List of WUE Schools in Washington, Acceptance Rates & Tuitions
- List of WUE Schools in Oregon, Acceptance Rates & Tuitions
- Best WUE schools for Nursing, Acceptance Rates & Tuition
- Best WUE Schools for Business, Tuitions & Acceptance Rates
- List of 89 WUE four-year Universities
Conclusion
In this article, we provided a list of the top 20 best WUE schools you can apply to and benefit from the reduced tuition savings program aided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) through the Western Undergraduate Exchange.
Furthermore, we have put in all our best to make sure that we provided the most valid and accurate information, but do note that admission statistics and data are dynamic. Therefore, we always encourage you to verify these details from the official school admissions office or through the institution’s websites we have provided respectively.
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