About

Since 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping the West get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the region through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy.

The WICHE region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. WICHE’s 48 commissioners are appointed by the governors of the 15 Western states and, in the case of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, the presidents of the three sovereign nations. Commission activities are funded in part through annual dues paid by region members and in part through grants and sponsorships.

One of four regional interstate higher education compacts in the United States, WICHE was created as a body corporate and an agency of each compacting state and territory through the Western Regional Education Compact. WICHE functions not only as an interstate compact but is also recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

Interstate compact of the 16 Western states and territories working to increase access to high-quality higher education.