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Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)

The region’s affordable pathway to graduate education

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 members, through which participating Western public universities allow WICHE-region students to attend select out-of-state graduate certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs – and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition.

Since public-university nonresident tuition rates are typically much higher than resident rates – sometimes by 300 percent or more–WRGP increases affordable higher education options for students, and minimizes student loan debt.

Saving through WRGP is simple.

1Ensure you're eligible

You must be a resident of a WICHE-region state or territory, applying to a participating public university in another Western state.

2Check graduate programs and schools

Search the WRGP Savings Finder to see which universities participate and which graduate programs are WRGP-eligible.

3Meet school and program-specific criteria

Some universities require a minimum GRE score or undergraduate GPA, or have earlier deadlines. Requirements vary by graduate program.

4Apply directly to your school

Contact the graduate school at the university where you want to enroll. Most require applicants to complete a WRGP application to be considered.

Student examining purple top test tube
In Focus

Choose from 2,000+ WRGP programs

The WRGP Savings Finder houses profiles of all WRGP-eligible universities and graduate programs, tuition savings, and more. To begin your WRGP journey, click below to search by state, graduate program, and other parameters.

WRGP SAVINGS FINDER
$39.2MAY 2023-24 savings for 2,800+ WRGP students
$13,636Average savings per student during AY 2023-24
60+Participating universities
Headshot photo of WRGP student, Paul Mullins.Jacie, Utah, Master of Public Health, Navite and Indigenous Health, University of Hawai'iStudents studying South Campus Directory (Kiosk) University of UtahMale student on longboard, University of Montana

” With no architecture programs in my home state, seeking a degree out-of-state was inevitable. WRGP made my education more affordable,  and provided a dynamic and diverse learning environment that has enriched my educational experience. I recommend WICHE’s Student Access Programs to anyone looking to reduce or avoid student loans.”

— PAUL

ALASKA,
MASTERS OF ARCHITECTURE,
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI’I AT MĀNOA

“Utah didn’t offer the program I was interested in: as a first-generation college student with limited means, I thought my choices were limited and I never considered attending an out-of-state school. WRGP made it possible to pursue the degree I longed for in the setting that was right for me.”

— JACIE

UTAH,
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS HEALTH,
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

“There’s no graduate program in audiology in my home state, and one can’t practice audiology without a doctoral degree. WRGP helped me obtain the education to become an audiologist.”

— DEVIN

WYOMING,
AUDIOLOGY,
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

“WRGP leveled the playing field and allowed me to make a decision based on my career aspirations, instead of my wallet. Now I’m studying what I want, where I want, and I haven’t looked back.”

— KEVIN

CALIFORNIA,
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCE JOURNALISM,
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

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