Wyoming has fewer residents than any other state, yet it runs a complete public higher education system: one university, seven community colleges and a small group of private career schools. Our directory lists 18 campuses and outreach sites, from the University of Wyoming in Laramie to Central Wyoming College's center in Dubois. This page explains how those schools fit together, who oversees them and how to choose the right one for your goal.

How Wyoming Organizes Public Colleges: One University, Seven Community Colleges

The public system has two layers. The University of Wyoming, at 1000 East University Avenue in Laramie, is the state's only public four-year university and its land-grant institution. A Board of Trustees governs it, and its authority comes from Title 21 of the Wyoming Statutes, which covers education.

The second layer is seven community colleges: Casper College, Central Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College, Laramie County Community College, Northwest College, Sheridan College and Western Wyoming Community College. Each serves a local district with its own elected board of trustees. Funding comes from state appropriations, tuition and local property taxes, so each college reflects the workforce needs of its region.

The Wyoming Community College Commission, based in Cheyenne, coordinates the seven colleges at the state level. It handles statewide planning, budget requests and policies that help credits move between campuses. The commission does not run day-to-day admissions. For enrollment, you always deal directly with the college or the university.

The University of Wyoming and all seven community colleges hold regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That matters because accreditation affects federal financial aid and credit transfer. Community colleges accept most applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent, while the university sets its own admission standards.

Most Wyoming high school graduates should also look at the Hathaway Scholarship Program. This state-funded merit award has several tiers, named Honors, Performance, Opportunity and Provisional, and it can be used at the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college. Eligibility depends on your grades, test scores and the courses you completed in high school. Your school counselor or a college financial aid office can tell you which tier you qualify for.

Southeast Wyoming: Cheyenne, Laramie and the I-80 Corridor

The southeast corner holds the heaviest concentration of listings. Laramie County has four, all in Cheyenne, the state capital. Laramie County Community College sits at 1400 East College Drive (307-778-5222) and is the main public option in the city. The other Cheyenne listings are private: CollegeAmerica-Cheyenne at 6101 Yellowstone Road (307-637-2044), the University of Phoenix-Cheyenne Campus at 6900 Yellowstone Road (866-766-0766) and Cheeks International Academy of Beauty Culture at 207 West 18th Street (307-637-8700).

About 50 miles west on Interstate 80, Laramie is Wyoming's college town. Albany County has three listings: the University of Wyoming (307-766-1121) and two WyoTech Laramie entries, one at 1889 Venture Drive (307-742-3776) and another at 4373 North 3rd Street (307-274-3597). Because the two WyoTech entries have different addresses and phone numbers, call before you drive to confirm which location handles admissions.

Winter travel deserves planning. Laramie sits above 7,000 feet, and I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie can close in high wind or snow. The Wyoming Department of Transportation publishes road conditions through its 511 travel information service. Check it before you leave for a campus visit, an advising appointment or a placement test.

Students in this corridor often combine the two systems. Many start at Laramie County Community College, complete general education courses and then transfer to the University of Wyoming. Ask an advisor at either school for the transfer guide that matches your intended major.

Central, Northern and Western Wyoming: Distance Shapes Where Campuses Sit

Outside the southeast, campuses are spread across long distances, so colleges use outreach centers to reach small towns. Central Wyoming College is the clearest example. Its main campus is at 2660 Peck Avenue in Riverton (800-735-8418), with centers in Lander at 120 Enterprise Boulevard (307-332-3394), Dubois at 308 West Ramshorn (307-455-2625) and Jackson at 240 South Glenwood Street (307-733-7425). The Riverton, Lander and Dubois sites account for the three listings in Fremont County, while the Jackson center is the single listing in Teton County.

Casper College, at 125 College Drive in Casper (307-268-2110), serves central Wyoming's largest urban area. In the north, Sheridan College's main campus is at 3059 Coffeen Avenue in Sheridan (307-674-6446), with a Buffalo site at 63 North Burritt Avenue (307-684-2001) in Johnson County. Northwest College is at 231 West 6th Street in Powell (307-754-6000), serving Park County and the Big Horn Basin.

In the east, Eastern Wyoming College has its main campus at 3200 West C Street in Torrington (307-532-8200) and a Douglas campus at 800 South Windriver Drive (307-624-7000). In the southwest, Western Wyoming Community College at 2500 College Drive in Rock Springs (307-382-1600) serves the I-80 corridor.

If you live in a small town, check what the outreach center actually offers. Many sites provide advising, testing and a few in-person classes, with the rest delivered online or by video link. A full degree may still require time at the main campus. Ask for a plan that shows which courses you can take locally.

Private Career Schools in Wyoming: What to Check Before You Enroll

The private schools in our listings focus on career training. WyoTech in Laramie is known for automotive and diesel technology programs, and Cheeks International Academy of Beauty Culture prepares students for cosmetology work. Cosmetology requires a state license, so confirm that the program's training hours meet the requirements of the Wyoming licensing board before you pay a deposit.

Private campuses also change faster than public ones. Some have merged, moved or closed in recent years, so a directory listing is a starting point, not proof that a campus is open. Call first, then ask these questions:

The U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator tool lets you look up graduation rates and costs for any school that takes federal aid.

What to Bring to an Admissions or Advising Visit

Bring a photo ID, your high school transcript or GED results, and any ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students need transcripts from every previous college. If you want aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first, since most colleges use it to award grants and loans. Wyoming residents should also bring proof of residency, because in-state tuition rates depend on it. Ask about application deadlines, orientation dates and scholarship priority dates. Community college terms generally begin in late August and mid-January, but dates vary, so confirm them on the college calendar.

Public colleges and universities in Wyoming offer residents access to affordable higher education, professional certifications, and workforce training. The Wyoming state legislature oversees funding and policy for public institutions, while individual governing boards manage each campus.

Colleges locations are available in 13 cities across Wyoming. They are spread across 11 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Cheyenne, Laramie, Riverton, reflecting the presence of major university campuses and community college districts serving large student populations.

Prospective students in Wyoming should research in-state tuition rates, available degree programs, and financial aid options at public institutions, as these factors vary significantly between community colleges and four-year universities.

Colleges by Counties

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Students in Wyoming applying to public colleges and universities should complete the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Many Wyoming institutions also offer state-specific grant programs with additional eligibility criteria.

Browse Colleges by county across Wyoming to find the nearest location.

Choosing a Campus Near Your Wyoming County

Start with the county closest to you, then widen the search. Students in Natrona County will find Casper College, which draws from much of central Wyoming. In Sheridan County, Sheridan College anchors the area, and its Buffalo site extends the college's reach south into Johnson County. Along the I-80 corridor, students in Sweetwater County usually look to Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs.

Rural distance changes how you plan. A student in Dubois or Douglas may live an hour or more from the nearest full campus, so ask about online sections, evening classes and where exams are proctored. Many Wyoming colleges also offer dual enrollment, which lets high school students earn college credit before graduating. Your school counselor can explain how your district handles it and who pays the fees.

Offices keep weekday business hours, and summer schedules are often shorter. Call before a long drive, since staff at small centers may split their time between several duties. Keep notes on who you spoke with and when, especially for financial aid or transfer questions. If a phone number or address in a listing looks out of date, confirm it on the college's own website before you travel.

Timing matters too. Priority dates for aid and scholarships often fall months before classes begin, so start the FAFSA and any Hathaway paperwork early. Waiting until the final week can leave you without housing, a class schedule or a finished aid package. Residence hall space at colleges with campus housing can fill quickly, so ask about deposits.

Colleges in Wyoming: Common Questions

Wyoming has seven public community colleges: Casper College, Central Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College, Laramie County Community College, Northwest College, Sheridan College and Western Wyoming Community College. Each has its own elected board of trustees and handles its own admissions, tuition and programs. The Wyoming Community College Commission in Cheyenne coordinates them at the state level, covering planning, budget requests and shared policies. For questions about enrolling, paying or choosing classes, contact the college directly. The commission is the place for statewide policy questions, not for individual applications or student records.

The Hathaway Scholarship is a state-funded, merit-based award for Wyoming high school graduates. It has four tiers: Honors, Performance, Opportunity and Provisional. Your tier depends on your grade point average, your ACT or SAT score and whether you completed the required high school courses. The award can be applied at the University of Wyoming in Laramie or at any of the seven community colleges. Rules, award amounts and deadlines can change, so confirm current details with your school counselor, the Wyoming Department of Education or the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.

Yes, and it is a common path. Many students finish general education courses or an associate degree at a school such as Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne or Casper College, then transfer to the University of Wyoming. The colleges and the university coordinate on course transfer, but the details depend on your major. Meet with an advisor in your first semester, ask for the transfer guide for your program and keep your course syllabi. Some majors require courses in a set order, so starting that sequence late can add a semester or more to your degree.

You have several options. The community colleges run career and technical programs tied to regional industries. In Laramie, WyoTech offers automotive and diesel technology training, and Cheeks International Academy of Beauty Culture in Cheyenne trains cosmetology students. Our database shows two WyoTech Laramie entries with different addresses and phone numbers, so confirm which location to visit before you go. Compare program length, total cost and licensing outcomes against a community college certificate before you decide. Public colleges are often less expensive and may let you apply credits toward a later degree.

Central Wyoming College's main campus is at 2660 Peck Avenue in Riverton, and the college lists centers in Lander (307-332-3394), Dubois (307-455-2625) and Jackson (307-733-7425). Call the center nearest you and ask what is offered in person and what is taught online. Jackson is separated from Riverton by mountain passes, so students there rely more heavily on the local center and online classes. Winter weather can affect any drive between sites, so check the Wyoming Department of Transportation's 511 service before you travel to the main campus.

Start by calling the phone number in the listing, then check the school's accreditation. Federal student aid requires accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The department's College Navigator tool shows whether a school takes part in aid programs and lists graduation rates. Private campuses in Wyoming, including some listed here in Cheyenne, have changed or closed over time. Do not pay a deposit until you have the enrollment terms in writing. For licensed fields such as cosmetology, also confirm that the program qualifies you to sit for the state licensing exam.