Some neighboring states enter into reciprocity agreements with each other that allow residents of one state to receive lower rates than other students from out of state. For instance, Minnesota and Wisconsin participate in a reciprocity agreement that allows Wisconsin residents to attend any Minnesota public university or college at the Wisconsin in-state tuition rates. Minnesota residents also enjoy reciprocity with all schools in North Dakota and South Dakota. Other states have state-to-state agreements such as Illinois and Indiana, Nevada and California and Georgia and South Carolina.
The University of Washington does not participate in any reciprocal agreements with other states; however, residents of neighboring states can apply through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), which consists of 15 states, for a scholarship that covers some or all of the difference between the in-state tuition and the non-resident tuition that the student would be charged. Currently, WICHE includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Residents of a member state can apply for a student exchange program at a university or college in any other member state. Other exchanges include the New England Board of Higher Education, Midwestern Higher Education Compact and the Academic Common Market.
While many states require public colleges and universities to charge higher tuition for non-residents to encourage residents to attend, some states set non-residential rates low enough to attract students from out of state. For instance, the University of New Mexico's non-resident tuition rate is approximately $9,000 for a full-time student in the spring of 2011 whereas the in-state tuition at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranges between about $10,000 and $15,000.
Certain states provide discounted tuition for non-resident students who have family ties to the state. For instance, Wisconsin schools offer a program called "Return to Wisconsin" designed to offer tuition discounts for non-resident children and grandchildren of state school alumni. Other schools such as Louisiana State University offer similar scholarships or discounts.