Regional Education Compacts

For more than half a century, most states have been collaborating with other nearby states through interstate higher education compacts. While many people within American higher education may not be familiar with these collaborative activities, four regional compacts – the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) – have helped states, and the public and private institutions within the states, work cooperatively to expand access and excellence within their regions. These regional compacts provide a range of programs and services, including student exchange programs that provide lower-cost access to programs present in one state but not another; collective purchasing initiatives for computer hardware and software, institutional property liability insurance, and student health plans; and policy analysis and research, including comparative economic and demographic analyses. The compacts have worked together where their partners -- states or the institutions within states -- deem collaboration to make sense. 

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) brings together leaders from Midwestern states to strengthen post-secondary education, advance student success, and promote regional economic vitality. MHEC contracts, programs, and initiatives save member states and students millions of dollars annually through time- and cost-savings opportunities. MHEC research and convenings generate ideas and policy that support workforce readiness and improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of postsecondary education. As the compact serving the midwestern region, MHEC is responsible for coordinating the participation of SARA member states in the midwestern region through the MHEC State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (M-SARA). As of June 15, 2025, eleven states are participating in M-SARA. 

Member states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) advances equitable postsecondary outcomes through convening, research, and programs for students, institution leaders, and policymakers. Its vision is that everyone in New England will have lifelong access to affordable, high-value postsecondary education. As the compact serving the northeast region, NEBHE is responsible for coordinating the participation of SARA member states in New England through the NEBHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (N-SARA). As of June 15, 2025, eight states are participating in N-SARA. 

Member states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE)

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) works with states to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. SREB guides and supports states as they advance all levels of education to improve the economic vitality of the SREB region. As the compact serving the southern region, SREB is responsible for coordinating the participation of SARA member states in the southern region through the SREB State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (S-SARA). As of June 15, 2025, seventeen states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are participating in S-SARA. 

Member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is a regional interstate higher education compact that works collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life. As the compact serving the Western region, WICHE is responsible for coordinating the participation of SARA member states in the Western region through the WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (W-SARA). As of June 15, 2025, thirteen states are participating in W-SARA. 

Member states: 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 (the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is the first of the group to participate).
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)