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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 the 2026-27 school year, the discount is valued at $4,692 and is supplemented by a $2,000 Western Assist award, for a total of $6,692.

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

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Oklahoma
  • Nebraska
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin

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 the states below, 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.

For the 2026-27 school year, the discount is valued at $4,692 and is supplemented by a $2,000 Western Assist award, for a total of $6,692.

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

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Neighboring States Grant

Students with a permanent address in one of the 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 states who show financial need.

Neighboring States is a grant discount (not tuition) that 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
    • Texas
  • 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