University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Wyoming at a Glance
The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie, Wyoming, United States. It was founded in March 1886, four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state, and opened in September 1887. The University of Wyoming's location is written into the state's constitution. The university also offers outreach education in communities throughout Wyoming and online.
1886
140 years old
$880M
$879.5 million (2024)
10,813
8,130 undergrad · 2,683 grad
1,002
2,060 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Wyoming
Official admissions page$40
Is University of Wyoming Worth It?
University of Wyoming delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $13,599/year, it's priced 33% below average, while graduates go on to earn $56,880 — 6% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Wyoming compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #19 of 134 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #19 | University of Wyoming | 62 | $13,599 | $56,880 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Wyoming's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Wyoming
The highest-earning program at University of Wyoming is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Zoology/Animal Biology at $25,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Wyoming earns $64,000, while a Zoology/Animal Biology graduate earns $25,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,000 in median debt vs. $19,102 for Zoology/Animal Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,599/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,000 | $64,000 | $15,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $59,700 | $59,700 | $19,150 |
| Civil Engineering | $56,200 | $56,200 | $21,865 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $54,500 | $54,500 | $19,794 |
| Computer Science | $53,100 | $53,100 | $17,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,400 | $45,400 | $20,631 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $15,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,200 | $39,200 | $17,204 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $38,800 | $38,800 | N/A |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $37,000 | $37,000 | $22,741 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,800 | $36,800 | $15,000 |
| Plant Sciences | $36,500 | $36,500 | $9,312 |
| Social Work | $36,500 | $36,500 | $15,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $36,400 | $36,400 | N/A |
| Marketing | $36,400 | $36,400 | $18,361 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $36,000 | $36,000 | $13,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,600 | $35,600 | $21,861 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,200 | $33,200 | $22,178 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,100 | $33,100 | $19,249 |
| Biology, General | $32,200 | $32,200 | $18,692 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,100 | $30,100 | $23,824 |
| Social Sciences, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $15,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,400 | $28,400 | $19,250 |
| Animal Sciences | $27,800 | $27,800 | $20,418 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $20,000 |
| History | $27,400 | $27,400 | $18,177 |
| Psychology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $19,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,500 | $26,500 | $26,955 |
| International/Global Studies | $26,400 | $26,400 | $18,098 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,100 | $25,100 | $13,250 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $25,000 | $25,000 | $19,102 |
Similar Colleges in WY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Laramie, WY
- Student Body
- 7,944 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,599
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,880
- Median Student Debt
- $18,000