Cost Information
Exchange Cost Estimates:
A breakdown of the costs for an exchange based upon a specific exchange duration can be found below. Please keep in mind that while every attempt is made to ensure all costs identified below are accurate, some variability does exist and exact numbers may not be possible for all expenses. Even though this estimate is used when verifying available funds to determine eligibility, you may experience higher or lower actual expenses while in the United States and at WSU. All costs are listed in U.S. Dollars.
Tuition Rates:
Regardless of your exchange type you will be paying tuition to your home institution and are eligible to take 12-18 credits worth of coursework per semester as part of your exchange. While there is a credit range identified you can take over 18 credits in a semester but will be responsible for the additional tuition generated as a result. To determine this cost visit the WSU Cost of Attendance website for the per-credit tuition charge for 19+ credits. You are required to take at least 12 credits to be considered a full time student and maintain your visa status.
Cost Estimate Breakdown.
Expense |
Single Semester |
Academic Year |
Tuition* |
Home Rate |
Home Rate |
Medical Insurance (International Student Health Insurance Program - iSHIP) |
$670 |
$1,082 |
Mandatory Fees |
$628 |
$1,256 |
Books & Supplies |
$495 |
$989 |
Room |
$3,532 |
$7,064 |
Board (meal plan) |
$2,317 |
$4,633 |
Miscellaneous/Transportation |
$1,823 |
$3,646 |
U.S. J-1 Student Visa* |
$340 |
$340 |
Total Estimated Cost of Bilateral Exchange
(not including costs paid to home institution and additional expenses such as airfare) |
$9,805 |
$19,010 |
*These costs are not billed by WSU and not included in the estimated amount required as part of the Certificate of Finances verification of funds. They, along with all other expenses, are the sole responsibility of the participant.
The visa amount listed is variable and may change based upon your country of origin. Please see the "Destination" tab for additional visa information.
Academics
University Course Catalog:
WSU Course Catalog (http://www.catalog.wsu.edu/General/Courses)
- Complete listing of courses offered at WSU
WSU Schedule of Classes (http://schedules.wsu.edu/)
- Courses offered in a specific term at WSU
Ensure "Pullman" and the appropriate term are selected when using the Schedule of Classes.
Academic Offerings:
Exchange students can choose from 200+ fields of study at WSU, many of which have been honored nationally or internationally for excellence. Business, hospitality business management, engineering, communications, fine arts, and agriculture are just a few examples of our top-rated programs. Academic catagories offered at WSU include:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Art, Architecture & Design
- Business
- Communication
- Economics
- Engineering & Computer Science
- Foreign Language & Cultures
- Music
- Physical & Mathematical Sciences
- Biological & Environmental Sciences
- Education
- Health Sciences
- History, Literature & Philosophy
- Social Sciences
- Sport & Fitness.
Restrictions:
Students are able to take 100-400 level courses offered on the Pullman campus; 500+ level courses are restricted and should NOT be listed when selecting courses for enrollment.
It is important you pay special attention to all identified course pre-requisite requirements for all individual courses you plan to take. Each department makes the final determination if the courses you have taken at your home institution meet those pre-requisites and will grant permissions for enrollment based upon that determination. Additional information, such as course syllabi, may be requested from you should a question regarding equivalencies arise during the review process.
Grades and GPA:
Grades and credits function differently at
institutions around the world. WSU uses the semester system where each credit is associated with 15 contact hours and most classes offered are three credits requiring a total of 45 contact hours. The expected time commitment frequently includes lecture, reading, and additional self-study time.
Credits earned participating in this exchange may function differently than the credit system used by your home institution. The general conversion used to convert WSU credits into the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) equivalent is a ratio of 1:2 where 1 WSU credit equals 2 ECTS credits. Consult your home institution exchange coordinator and ensure you are taking at least 12 WSU credits worth of coursework per semester and meeting any credit requirements set by your home institution.
Factors to keep in mind:
- Individual departments need to grant permissions for courses with pre-requisite requirements.
- Your transcript will be used along with your Course Selection Form to help determine if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. Additional information, such as syllabi, may be requested by the department if questions arise.
- You MUST be enrolled in at least 12 WSU credits per semester to maintain your visa status.
- Any credits taken OVER 18 will generate an additional tuition charge for which you are responsible.
How to Apply
Before the Deadline:
- Click the "Apply Now" button at the top of this page.
- Please Note: There is no application fee for starting an application.
- You now have an application and are in the Application Phase. Complete application materials:
- Signature Documents
- Questionnaires
- Material Submissions (Electronic and/or Physical)
- Online Trainings
- In-Person Meetings (if applicable)
- Once all the materials have been completed, your application will be moved to the Acceptance Phase with a status of either "Accepted" or "Pending-Interview."
- “Accepted” Status: your application has met all Global Learning and program specific requirements and you have been accepted to the program, conditional on whether or not you commit by the deadline. Applicants to this exchange do not exceed the number of nominations available.
- “Pending - Interview” Status: your application has met all Global Learning as well as program specific requirements and an interview is required before your participation is determined. Applicants to this exchange exceed the number of nominations available. Participation is conditional on whether or not you commit by the deadline thereby indicating you wish to be interviewed for the exchange. For more detailed information about interviews see the description below.
- Commit to the program: Once in the “Accepted” or “Pending – Interview” status, you will see a box appear asking you to “Commit” or “Decline” your participation on the program.
- If you click “Commit”: you have committed to participate in your program and accept all responsibilities associated with commitment. If you were in the “Pending – Interview” status you are also agreeing to an interview and will be contacted to meet shortly following the deadline.
- If you click “Decline”: your application will be withdrawn.
After the Deadline:
- If you were in the “Accepted” status and committed to the exchange you will be nominated to the exchange and your status changed to “Nominated.”
If you were in the “Pending – Interview” status, committed to the exchange, and completed your interview you will either be:
- Nominated to the exchange and your status changed to “Nominated.”
- Contacted by the WSU Exchange Coordinator and afforded the opportunity to select a different exchange or apply for another program.
- After you commit and are in "Nominated" status, complete:
- Required orientations (see “Orientation” tab for more information)
- Remaining or new applications items (questionnaires or material items) which were not due before the deadline.
- Any requested material items specific to your program.
- Prepare to Depart!
- Apply for a visa (if required)
- Buy airfare (if not included in your program)
- Start packing!
Interviews
Due to the fact that there may be limited space on this exchange in any given semester, it is possible that more applicants exist than available nominations. Should your exchange have more applicants than available nominations you will be contacted to meet with the Exchange Review Committee to determine placements the week following the deadline. In the event you are not nominated for your first desired exchange you will be afforded the opportunity to select a different exchange or apply for another program without penalty.
Interviews are informal in nature and will last no more than fifteen (15) minutes; they are only used to help determine nominations for exchanges with limited placements. GPA, recommendations, and any preferred college status of exchange (e.g. Honors students for Honors established exchanges) will be taken into account when making determinations. Preferred status will be identified in the Overview tab under Exchange Eligibility Requirements.