Receive a 33% Tuition Discount While Earning Your Master’s at Mines
A graduate degree from Mines sets you apart—and WRGP helps you get there for less. Students from 16 western states and territories can qualify for a 33% tuition discount through the Western Regional Graduate Program. That means access to a top-ranked STEM education, world-class faculty, and hands-on project-based learning—at a significantly reduced cost. Mines graduates are known for stepping into high-impact roles across industry, government, and research. With WRGP, the return on your graduate education starts on day one.
WRGP Program Information
WICHE Qualifying States
The following states are eligible for the program:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
You may also qualify if you are from the following U.S. Territory/Commonwealth:
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Federal States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Guam
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
Requirements
- You must be a legal resident of one of the participating WICHE-approved states (a list of states is mentioned above). This is determined from the tuition classification form that you fill out upon acceptance.
- You must reside in the WICHE-approved state for at least nine consecutive months prior to the beginning of the first academic term of WRGP acceptance.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
- The WRGP tuition benefit must be awarded at the time of admission and will be noted in your Applicant Portal, once approved. It cannot be converted once the first day of your first semester starts as a new graduate student.
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- Mines Combined students will qualify for the WRGP 150% tuition rate once their Bachelor’s Degree is awarded and they begin their first semester as a Graduate Student. Undergraduates students, do not qualify for the WRGP tuition rate.
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- You will need to provide:
- Proof of a permanent address in the WICHE state.
- Payment of state income tax on wages earned in the WICHE state.
- Driver’s license.
- W2.
- State income tax return.
- Utility bill dated nine months ago.
Future students can upload the above materials within the online application as residency documents or email to grad-admissions@mines.edu.Â
Learn More about WICHE and WRGP Eligible Programs
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), promotes the sharing of higher education resources among the participating western states. Here at Mines, residents of the WICHE member states, listed below, who are enrolled in qualifying graduate programs may be eligible for discounted-rate tuition classification.
Master’s Non-Thesis Programs (MS-NT)
The non-thesis master’s path focuses on advanced coursework and a hands-on project or capstone experience that addresses real-world challenges, making it ideal for professionals who want to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

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