The University of Oregon does not participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange program. The university stopped offering new WUE scholarships after 2012, making it one of the more notable public universities in the West to opt out of the tuition discount program.
What WUE Would Have Saved You
WUE lets students from western states attend participating out-of-state schools at 150% of in-state tuition rather than the full nonresident rate. For context, the University of Oregon’s nonresident tuition and fees for 2025-26 come to $46,077 per year. A WUE rate, if it existed, would be significantly less than that. But since UO left the program over a decade ago, that discount simply isn’t available here.
Oregon Schools That Do Offer WUE
If WUE pricing is a priority, several other public universities in Oregon still participate. Oregon State University (including its Cascades campus in Bend) and Portland State University are all on the current WUE list. Each school sets its own WUE-eligible majors and enrollment caps, so check directly with their admissions offices to confirm availability for your intended program.
How UO Helps Nonresident Students Instead
The University of Oregon replaced WUE with its own set of merit scholarships for out-of-state students. Several are awarded automatically based on your application, with no extra forms required:
- UO Excellence: $20,000 per year
- Summit: $12,500 per year
- Apex: $10,000 per year
- IB Diploma Scholarships: $2,000 to $6,000 per year for International Baccalaureate recipients
- National Merit: $2,000 per year
- General University: $1,500 (one-time)
Two additional scholarships require a separate application. The Stamps Scholarship covers full tuition and fees, with a November 12 deadline. The Duck Excellence Scholarship awards $7,500 per year, with applications due by February 2.
At the top end, a $20,000-per-year UO Excellence award would bring the effective annual cost down to around $26,000 in tuition and fees alone, before any need-based aid. That’s a substantial reduction, though still above what a WUE rate at a comparable school might look like. Whether UO’s scholarships or a WUE rate elsewhere gives you the better deal depends on your academic profile and which award tier you qualify for.
Which Students Qualify for WUE Elsewhere
WUE is available to residents of western states and territories that belong to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The list includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and several Pacific territories. If you live in one of these places, you’re eligible to apply for WUE rates at any participating school, though admission and WUE slots are not guaranteed.
Participating schools often limit WUE to certain majors or cap the number of WUE-rate students they accept each year. Some also require you to apply by an early deadline to be considered. The full list of participating institutions is maintained by WICHE at wiche.edu.
Deciding Between UO and a WUE School
If you’re drawn to the University of Oregon specifically, focus your energy on the merit scholarships above and apply early enough to hit the Stamps and Duck Excellence deadlines. A strong academic record could land you an automatic award that narrows the cost gap considerably.
If cost is the driving factor and you’re flexible on where you attend, compare UO’s net price (after any scholarship you’d realistically receive) against the WUE rate at Oregon State, Portland State, or other participating schools in the region. The WUE rate is locked in at 150% of resident tuition for the duration of your enrollment at most schools, which gives you predictable costs over four years. UO’s merit scholarships are also typically renewable, but check the GPA and credit-hour requirements to keep them.