What is the MSEP?

MHEC helps improve access to postsecondary education through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Since 1994, the MSEP has provided more affordable opportunities for students to attend out-of-state institutions. The MSEP serves as the Midwest's largest multi-state tuition reciprocity program. MSEP is not a scholarship.

Over 140 colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin have opened their doors to each others' citizens at more affordable rates. Although the Midwestern Higher Education Compact is composed of twelve Midwestern states, the MSEP is a voluntary program (as are all MHEC programs) and only nine of the twelve states participate. Iowa, South Dakota, and Ohio do not participate in MSEP at this time. Click here for more information.

Please Note: The Illinois Board of Higher Education formally endorsed MSEP in December 2006, but the program did not go into effect until individual Illinois institutions elected to participate. Current MSEP institutions will began offering MSEP rates to all Illinois students admitted under MSEP after August 15, 2011.  Campuses in all participating states are not required to "grandfather" in students admitted prior to this date. 

How it works

Through the MSEP, public institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs; private institutions offer a 10% reduction on their tuition rates. You must be enrolling as a non-resident student at a participating MSEP campus to receive the discount.

Actual savings through the program will vary from institution to institution depending upon the tuition rates. Participating students will typically realize savings between $500 and $3,000 annually.

Here are two examples of how the program works:

Where do I start?

Click here to start by determining if the school you wish to attend participates in the MSEP.