There is no denying the fact that expectations for post-secondary education have changed in the last decade. According to a report by the UPCEA, NAPSA and InsideTrack, all students look for an online or hybrid component to their programs that allows them to access information when they want it. They are "technology natives", and "[…] they too appreciate the flexibility online education allows them."
In an effort to provide students with access to affordable and convenient online education, the University of Wyoming, Wyoming Public Television and the seven state community colleges formed to create the Wyoming Distance Education Consortium (WyDEC). This advisory committee strives to create standards for the delivery and quality of distance education courses and programs. The group created WyCLASS, a searchable database of all online courses and programs offered by the state's schools, in an effort to make it easier for potential and current students to complete their educational goals.
In 2012, 37,871 students were enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Wyoming; of those, 4,228 were in exclusively online or distance programs, and 56% of all students enrolled in a postsecondary institution in this state were at one of the two-year schools. Between the 2008 and 2014 fiscal years, tuition costs at four-year schools in Wyoming rose 10.3%, and enrollment during the fall semester of 2013 saw a decrease of 3.9% from the previous year. Though the data is inconclusive, it may be assumed that these factors are correlated. However, with the state's dedication to providing a high quality education no matter where a student is located, the numbers are only a small part of the big picture.
Explore our school database below to learn more about what the schools in Wyoming have to offer. For more information on how this state compares to the rest of the nation, check out the state facts tab.
Featured Online Programs
7 Colleges in Wyoming
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- Wyoming College Access Grant: This is a need-based grant program designed for first-time college students. The grant is administered by the University of Wyoming's Office of Student Educational Opportunity.
- Hathaway Scholarship: This is another need-based program that offers between $840 and $1,680 per semester for students who qualify. This scholarship is available for eight full-time semesters.
- Douvas Scholarship: The Douvas Scholarship is given in memory of Peter Douvas, a Greek immigrant who left money to the Wyoming Department of Education upon his death. This $500 scholarship is given to a first-generation American youth who shows need and motivation to attend college.
Education Nonprofits
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education: Wyoming joined WICHE in 1953. The consortium has helped Wyoming students attend colleges and universities across the country at reduced rates thanks to the WICHE Exchange Program.
- ServeWyoming: ServeWyoming collaborates with local government entities and organizations to improve individuals' service to their community. Their programs include Learn and Serve America and disability and inclusion programs that help those who are disabled to further their education and develop skills.
Higher Education News
- Inside Higher Ed: This limited search brings up Wyoming-related articles and blog posts from Inside HIgher Ed, a publication that looks at higher education across the country.
- EdWeek: This limited search brings up Wyoming-related articles and blog posts from EdWeek, a publication that looks at higher education across the country.