WICHE

MISSION:

WICHE works collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life.

In 2012, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) was the first of the U.S. Pacific territories and freely associated states to become active in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) programs and initiatives. In addition, CNMI students can now enroll in online programs, at a reduced tuition fee, without leaving the CNMI. Click on the following link to learn more about WICHE's Student Access Programs.

     WICHE Programs

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), students pay no more than 150 percent of the receiving school’s resident tuition, substantially less than standard nonresident tuition. View the list of participating institutions and find out more about their deadlines and requirements and search institutions based on your choice of major and the type of degree you wish to pursue.

Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) 1,567 students are enrolled in more than 400 distinctive graduate programs at 59 institutions at resident tuition.  If you are interested, you may search the list of graduate programs and/or by graduate majors for their deadlines and requirements.

Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) More than 15,600 professionals have received home-state support when enrolled in programs in another Western state. In addition, there are PSEP healthcare programs and Institutions that offer professional degrees at a reduced cost.

Testimonials:

"I am from a small, rural island known as Saipan, which is found in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The community college there didn't offer all of the classes I needed for my major. Fortunately, our government became a member of WICHE, so I have more options. WUE gave me an affordable post-secondary education and a first-rate science education. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, majoring in biology. Once I graduate, I plan to pursue pharmacy school. Without WICHE's WUE program, I would not have been able to pursue better educational opportunities in order to fulfill my academic and future professional goals, and for that, my parents and I are forever grateful." — Aldreen, CNMI resident, Class of 2018, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Biology