Benchmarks: WICHE Region 2018 presents information on the West’s progress in improving access to, success in, and financing of higher education. The information is updated annually with the most recent data available, to monitor change over time and encourage its use as a tool for informed discussion in policy and education communities. https://www.wiche.edu/benchmarks

1. Benchmarks: WICHE Region 2018 presents information on the West’s progress in
improving access to, success in, and financing of higher education. The information
is updated annually with the most recent data available, to monitor change over
time and encourage its use as a tool for informed discussion in policy and education
communities. Data included in these charts is for the WICHE region, unless otherwise
stated. Visit wiche.edu/benchmarks to access these charts’ data for all WICHE members.
Please use the following citation if you are reproducing these charts: Western Interstate
Commission for Higher Education, Benchmarks: WICHE Region 2018.
WICHE Region 2018

2. Undergraduate Enrollment by Sector
Between Fall 2006 and Fall 2016, undergraduate enrollment at public and private, nonprofit institutions in
the West increased 13 percent, with most of the enrollment increases occurring during the Great Recession.
Since 2010, strong increases in enrollment at public research and private, nonprofit institutions have offset
declines at public, two-year institutions.
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
UndergraduateEnrollment(Millions)
3.75M
Private, Nonprofit
Public, Research
Note: Data are for undergradautes at two- and four-year degree-granting, Title IV-eligible, public and private nonprofit institutions, excluding service academies. Sectors are
classified according to the 2005, 2010, and 2015 Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions. Private nonprofit includes two- and four-year institutions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Fall Enrollment Survey, 2006-2016.
Public, Associate
Public, Baccalaureate/Master’s
4.21M 4.23M
427 K
921 K
599 K
2.29 M
302 K
658 K
579 K
2.21 M

3. 26%
11%
Diversification of High School Graduates and College Students
Diversity among high school graduates has increased in the West over the last decade (from 45 percent
non-white in 2005-06 to 55 percent in 2015-16). That diversity is reflected to an extent in the respective Fall
semester undergraduate enrollments—although Hispanics remain the most under-represented among all
undergraduates.
Note: High school graduates are public high school graduates, which have historically been 93 percent of all high school graduates in the West. 2015-16 high school graduates are
projected. High school graduate counts do not include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam (data not available). Non-Resident students and those with
multiple or unknown race are disaggregated in undergraduate enrollments but not high school graduates. Undergraduate enrollments are for undergraduates at two- and four-year
degree-granting, Title IV-eligible, public and private nonprofit institutions, excluding service academies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Fall Enrollment Survey, 2006-2016, and WICHE, Knocking at the College
Door: Projections of High School Graduates, 2016.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
55%
2%
45%
38%
10%
5%
2%
50%
19%
13%
5%
2%
9%
2%
41%
30%
11%
5%
1%
9%
4%
White
Hispanic
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Black
American Indian/
Alaska Native
Two or More
Races/
Unknown
Non-resident
2005-06 2015-16 2006-07 2016-17
High School Graduates Undergraduate Enrollment
5%
26%
2%

4. 25- to 64-Year-Olds with an Associate Degree or Above
The share of adults in the WICHE region with an associates or higher degree was 42 percent in 2017, which
matched the national attainment rate. Between 2007 and 2017 the percentage of adults with an associates
or higher degree increased four percentage points, which amounted to about 3 million more adults with an
associates or higher degree compared to 10 years prior.
Note: Number of adults ages 25-64 with an associate degree or higher credential, as a percentage of total adults ages 25-64. Data not available for the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, so they are not included in this WICHE region measure.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder Table B15001, 2007-2017.
43%
42%
41%
40%
39%
38%
37%
36%
35%
34%
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
WICHE
U.S.
14.7 M,
38.6%
17.7 M,
42.5%
60.3 M,
37.7%
72.3 M,
42.4%

5. Educational Attainment Levels of 25- to 64-Year-Olds
Forty-one percent of all 25- to 64-year-olds in the WICHE region had an associate degree or higher credential
in 2016, but there was disparity across populations. Regionally, White adults, which represent a majority of
the region’s adult population, had an attainment rate of 49 percent in 2016 compared to the next largest
population, Hispanic adults, which had an attainment rate of 19 percent.
Note: Number of adults ages 25-64 with each level of education, as a percentage of total adults ages 25-64, by population. Data not available for the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, so they are not included in this WICHE region measure.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata (PUMS) Files.
Graduate/
ProfessionalBachelor’sAssociateSome College
High School
Diploma
Less than
High School
9% 21% 11%14% 22% 23%TOTAL (40.4M)
White (21.7M)
Hispanic (10.8M)
Asian/Pacific
Islander (4.5M)
Black (1.8M)
American Indian/
Alaska Native (552K)
41%
49%
19%
59%
33%
21%
Associate
& Above

6. Postsecondary Educational Revenue and Enrollments
Educational revenue per student increased from $11,078 to $11,937, on average, in the WICHE region
between FY 2007 and FY 2017. Increases arose from tuition revenue and stabilizing enrollments, whereas
per-student educational appropriations remained below pre-recession levels in FY 2017 and declined from
73 percent of total revenue in FY 2007 to 64 percent of total revenue in FY 2017.
Note: Full-time equivalent enrollment is equal to one student enrolled full time for one academic year, excluding most non-credit/non-degree programs and medical students. Net
tuition revenue is the gross amount of tuition and fees, less state and institutional aid, waivers and discounts, and medical student tuition and fees. Educational appropriations are
state and local support available for public higher education operating expenses. Figures are adjusted for inflation using the Higher Education Cost Adjustment, enrollment mix,
and cost-of-living differences among states. The WICHE calculation does not include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam (data not available).
Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers, State Higher Education Finance FY 2017.
Educational Appropriations per FTE Tuition per FTE FTE
EducationalRevenueperFTE(2017Dollars)
$8,038 $8,118
$7,502
$6,721 $6,639
$5,866 $6,147 $6,576
$7,273 $7,551 $7,647
$3,040 $2,717
$2,840
$3,097 $3,194
$3,777
$3,972
$4,158
$4,217
$4,315 $4,290
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
3.5 M
3.0 M
2.5 M
2.0 M
1.5 M
1.0 M
0.5 M
0.0 M
FTEEnrollment(Millions)

7. Postsecondary Educational Revenue and Enrollments in the U.S.
Educational revenue per student is higher, on average, across the nation than in the WICHE region.
Educational appropriations nationally show a pattern similar to the WICHE region, with per-student levels
increasing in recent years but remaining below pre-recession levels.
Note: Full-time equivalent enrollment is equal to one student enrolled full time for one academic year, excluding most non-credit/non-degree programs and medical students. Net
tuition revenue is the gross amount of tuition and fees, less state and institutional aid, waivers and discounts, and medical student tuition and fees. Educational appropriations are
state and local support available for public higher education operating expenses. Figures are adjusted for inflation using the Higher Education Cost Adjustment, enrollment mix,
and cost-of-living differences among states.
Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers, State Higher Education Finance FY 2017.
Educational Appropriations per FTE Tuition per FTE FTE
EducationalRevenueperFTE(2017Dollars)
$8,489 $8,641
$8,078
$7,506 $7,180
$6,525 $6,658 $6,987
$7,336 $7,453 $7,642
$4,817 $4,784
$4,860
$5,093 $5,268
$5,733 $6,019
$6,190
$6,381 $6,549 $6,572
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
13 M
12 M
11 M
10 M
9 M
8 M
7 M
6 M
5 M
4 M
3 M
2 M
1 M
0 M
FTEEnrollment(Millions)

8. Tuition as a Percentage of Educational Revenue
Tuition revenue has increased as a share of educational revenue for both the WICHE region and the nation,
increasing by almost 10 percentage points over the last decade. The increases slowed in recent years, and in
FY 2017 tuition revenue accounted for about 36 percent of total educational revenue in the WICHE region,
and 46 percent on average, nationally.
Note: Net tuition revenue is the gross amount of tuition and fees, less state and institutional aid, waivers and discounts, and medical student tuition and fees. Data not available for
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, so they are not included in the WICHE region measure.
Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers, State Higher Education Finance FY 2017.
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
WICHE
U.S.
36%
46%
27%
36%

9. Asian White Black Hispanic American Indian/
Alaska Native
WICHE Median Family Income: $68,701
8%
3%
9%
3%
18%
6%
18%
6%
21%
7%
$101,392
$86,594
$38,828
$45,726$45,744
4-Year Tuition and Fees, $8,208, 2016-17
2-Year Tuition and Fees, $2,676, 2016-17
Tuition and Fees as a Percentage of Family Income
Average published tuition and fees at WICHE region public institutions was almost twice the share of median
income for Hispanic, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native households with children than for Asian and
White households with children in 2016. While this does not factor in total or net cost of attendance, it has
apparent implications for financial need and perceived “sticker shock” for certain families in particular.
Note: WICHE region median household income, overall and by population, includes all sources of income for households with children aged 0-17 by race of head of household. Tuition
and fees is an unweighted average of resident/in-district tuition and fees at two-and four-year institutions in the WICHE region. Data not available for the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, so they are not included in this WICHE region measure.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata (PUMS) and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Tuition and Fees in
the West.
$110,000
$90,000
$70,000
$50,000
$30,000
$10,000

10. Average tuition and fees for resident students at public two-year institutions increased 56 percent between
2008-09 and 2018-19, although, when excluding California’s community colleges, the rate of increase drops
to 31 percent over the past decade. Tuition and fees for residents at public research universities increased
46 percent since 2008-09, while tuition and fees for residents at baccalaureate and master’s institutions
increased 39 percent.
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Associate w/ CA $2,224
$10,697
$3,870
$7,494Baccalaureate/Master’s
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
UndergraduateTuition&Fees(2018dollars)
Associate w/o CA
Research
$1,422
$7,309
$2,960
$5,398
Tuition and Fees at Public Two- and Four-Year Institutions
Note: Tuition and Fees charges are for resident undergraduates. Sectors are classified according to the 2015 Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions. Dollars adjusted
to 2018 dollars using the Higher Education Cost Adjustment (HECA).
Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

11. WUE Savings WUE Enrollment
$162 M $168 M
$197 M
$237 M $239 M $252 M
$277 M $287 M
$317 M
$347 M
$365 M
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Enrollment & Savings
Annual enrollment in WICHE’s Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) has increased over 80 percent
between 2007-08 and 2017-18. Correspondingly, annual savings to students and/or families more than
doubled over the same time period.
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Note: Total WUE savings included the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands starting in 2013-14 and included Guam starting in 2016-17. Dollars adjusted to 2017 dollars
using the Consumer Price Index.
Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

12. Institutional Grant Aid Per FTE
Average institutional grant aid per student at public institutions increased 65 percent between 2005-06 and
2010-11 in the WICHE region, but then declined about 18 percent in the past five years, reversing the trend
so that the average WICHE grant aid per student went below the national average.
Note: Data are for grant aid expenditures, not including discounts and allowances, from all sources at public institutions. Grant aid is calculated per full-time equivalent (FTE) student.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System IPEDS, Finance and Enrollment Surveys, 2006-2016.
$1,800
$1,500
$1,200
$900
$600
$300
$0
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-04 2014-15 2015-16
WICHE
U.S.
$1,275
$1,372

13. Share of Students Receiving Federal Grant Aid
The share of full-time, first-time students who received federal grant aid in the WICHE region climbed
dramatically during the recession years, from 28 to 44 percent by 2011-12, and has stabilized around
42 percent since. The WICHE rate has typically been lower than the national average, but the difference
narrowed in the last five years.
Note: Data are for students at public institutions, excluding U.S. service academies. Federal grant aid includes grants awarded principally through the Pell Grant and SEOG programs,
but also includes educational assistance grants awarded through the Veteran’s Administration, Department of Labor, and other federal agencies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Student Financial Aid Survey, 2006-2016.
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
WICHE
U.S.
31%
42%
28%
41%
47%
44%

14. Average Loan Amount of Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
In the WICHE region, the average debt of bachelor’s degree recipients from the class of 2017 from public
and private nonprofit institutions was $23,133, an increase of 33 percent during the last decade, which was
substantially less than the rate of increase for the nation (53 percent).
Note: Simple unweighted average debt amount of those bachelor recipients from WICHE public and private nonprofit institutions who borrowed and graduated with loans between
academic years 2006-07 and 2016-17. This includes both federal and nonfederal loans but does not include parent loans. Average debt is in current dollars. Data are not available
for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, so they are not included in the WICHE region measure.
Source: The Institute for College Access and Success, The Project on Student Debt.
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Graduating Class
WICHE
U.S.
$18,602
$28,545
$17,361
$23,133