Student Access Programs: By the Numbers, AY 2024-25

Abstract

This publication shares data from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) about its three Student Access Programs, as well as participation and migration statistics for each program, shared in aggregate and by each WICHE-region state and eligible Pacific Island jurisdiction. The report also includes data summaries that provide reference points for key stakeholders, including students and their families, school counselors and academic advisors, institutional leaders and enrollment management staff, and policymakers. The benefits of postsecondary education are well-documented. A college degree not only benefits the individual receiving an education but also strengthens their community. However, the rising cost of postsecondary education may deter many from starting or completing their college education. WICHE's three Student Access Programs directly address this issue and provide a proven solution to reducing the cost barrier. Approximately 52,610 students have saved a total of $671 million in AY 2024-25 through these programs: (1) More than 49,000 undergraduate students have saved $615.6 million through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE); (2) Nearly 3,000 graduate students have saved $40 million through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP); and (3) More than 560 professional healthcare students have saved $15 million through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). Through these programs, WICHE continues to expand educational opportunities for residents of the West that are both affordable and valuable, ensuring that policy and practice at every level are aligned with the needs of the region.