Hartman Rocks with mountain views at sunset.

Tuition Discounts

What is a Tuition Discount?

A tuition discount lowers the amount you pay for college, reducing your overall cost. At Western Colorado University, tuition discounts are mostly based on residency.

Residency-Based Discounts

Central Plains
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Neighboring States

Central Plains

Central Plains (CP) tuition is a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. Incoming students who are residents of the following states and do not qualify for a merit scholarship are eligible for the CP tuition program.

For 2024-25, the discount is valued at $4,242 and is supplemented with a $2,000 Western Assist award for a total of $6,242 discount.

A map of the United States highlights the states qualifying for the Central Plains.

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
  • Texas
  • Wyoming

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers significant savings—students pay 150% of in-state tuition instead of full out-of-state rates. If you’re from one of 25 Western or Midwestern states, you’ll automatically be considered when you apply—no separate application is required.

WUE is available to incoming students from eligible states who have not received a merit scholarship.

Map of the United States highlighting the states that can participate in the WUE tuition discount.

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Direct Cost Out-of-State WUE Cost
Tuition $20,424
Required Fees $4,010 $4,010
Optional Fees** $450 $450
Double Room*** $5,463 $5,463
Board (15-meal/week plan) $5,297 $5,297
Total Annual Cost $35,644

Neighboring States

Students with a permanent address from one of the seven contiguous neighboring states to Colorado who have demonstrated financial need are automatically considered for a special $1,000 per year grant, totaling $4,000 over four years.

The Western Neighboring States Program can be added to WUE, CP, or merit scholarships. Eligibility is limited to permanent residents of one of the following seven states who show financial need.

Neighboring States Discount (not tuition) is based on whether there is any need not covered by other aid.

There is no separate application process. All students are reviewed with a completed application file.

A map of the United States highlights the states eligible for the Neighboring States program.

  • Arizona
  • Kansas
  • Nebraska
    • New Mexico
    • Oklahoma
    • Utah
  • Wyoming

Renewal Requirements: 
To continue receiving Neighboring States tuition, students must:

  • Enroll and complete a minimum of 24 credit hours each year.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
  • Meet satisfactory academic requirements.
  • A maximum of eight semesters of eligibility will be awarded to freshman students; six semesters of eligibility will be awarded to transfer students.

Financial Services

Contact Information

970.943.3085
finaid@western.edu
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact Location

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 314
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231