In a move aimed at enhancing educational affordability and accessibility, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is expanding its tuition discount initiatives to include graduate students across the western United States. Following the success of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), NAU has announced the launch of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) set to commence in Fall 2026.
WRGP will provide out-of-state graduate students with a substantial tuition reduction, offering up to 40% off for nearly all in-person master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs. This initiative seeks to broaden the educational opportunities for students from participating states and territories, making advanced education more financially accessible.
Both WUE and WRGP are part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which is dedicated to promoting high-quality and affordable postsecondary education across 18 western states and territories. Key features of these programs include no additional application requirements, and no GPA or GRE prerequisites for the tuition discount.
“Expanding WRGP aligns with NAU’s commitment to affordability, access and regional impact,” stated 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.”
Traditionally, WRGP eligibility at most institutions, including NAU, was confined to specialized degrees. However, NAU’s expanded offerings now include more than 60 in-person programs eligible for the discount, thereby significantly increasing the options available to out-of-state students interested in workforce-aligned graduate education. Eligibility requires students to be residents of a participating state or territory and to enroll in a qualifying in-person master’s degree or graduate certificate program. Notably, the Physician Assistant MPAS and the School of Psychology EDS are excluded, while standard admissions requirements still apply.
Participating States and Territories
Residents from the following states and territories can take advantage of WRGP tuition discounts 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
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