Building on the success of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program, which offers out-of-state students from select states and territories a significant discount on tuition, NAU is now making similar moves for grad students.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) will launch in Fall 2026, significantly increasing affordable access to graduate school for students throughout the western United States. Nearly all in-person master’s degrees and graduate certificates will now be eligible for WRGP, giving grad students from participating states and territories up to 40% off out-of-state tuition.
The hallmark benefits of both programs include no additional application, no GPA or GRE requirements for the tuition discount and options to enroll in one of the many eligible academic programs. Both WUE and WRGP are programs of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which promotes high-quality, affordable postsecondary education across 18 western states and territories.
“Expanding WRGP aligns with NAU’s commitment to affordability, access and regional impact,” said Anika Olsen, vice president of enrollment management at NAU. “By offering more graduate programs at a reduced tuition rate, we’re helping students across the West pursue advanced degrees that strengthen communities and meet critical workforce needs.”
Historically, WRGP eligibility at most universities, including NAU, has been limited to specialized degrees. Now, NAU will offer more than 60 in-person programs with the discount, dramatically expanding the playing field for out-of-state students seeking high-value, workforce-aligned graduate education.
To be eligible, students must be residents of a participating state or territory and enroll in an in-person master’s degree or graduate certificate included in the program. Currently, the only exclusions are the Physician Assistant MPAS and the School of Psychology EDS. Standard admissions requirements for each degree still apply.
Participating states and territories
Residents of these states and territories qualify for WRGP tuition at NAU:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Guam