Wyoming Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Wyoming College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Wyoming institutions.
Top Wyoming Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming | Public 4-yr | $6,621 | $22,011 | 9,100 |
| Laramie County CC | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 5,000 |
| Casper College | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 3,500 |
| Northwest College | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 1,700 |
| Central Wyoming College | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 1,900 |
| Sheridan College | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 2,300 |
| Western Wyoming CC | Community | $3,750 | $9,675 | 3,200 |
Wyoming State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Wyoming Department of Education and individual institutions.
Hathaway Scholarship
Four-tier merit scholarship (Honor, Performance, Opportunity, Provisional Opportunity) for WY residents at WY public institutions.
Wyoming Works Grant
For WY adults pursuing short-term workforce training at WY community colleges.
John P. Ellbogen Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship for WY residents — administered by the Ellbogen Foundation.
Student Loan Options for Wyoming Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Wyoming have a state student loan program?
No. Wyoming does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Wyoming residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Wyoming state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Wyoming students and families.
How much does college cost in Wyoming?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Wyoming public four-year universities is about $6,600 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $20,400 on campus for Wyoming residents and $29,700 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Wyoming?
Wyoming borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $29,800. Total outstanding federal student debt for Wyoming residents is approximately $1.5 billion.
Does Wyoming offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Wyoming's flagship program is the Hathaway Scholarship, with four tiers based on ACT/GPA. Other programs include Wyoming Works Grant (workforce training), the Ellbogen Foundation Scholarship, and WyCOLT Teacher Scholarship.
Does Wyoming have a state student loan program?
No. Wyoming does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Wyoming residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Wyoming colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Wyoming community colleges all charge $3,750 per year (standardized statewide rate). The University of Wyoming is the only four-year public at $6,621 in-state.
What scholarships are available for Wyoming residents?
Key awards include the Hathaway Scholarship (all four tiers), Wyoming Works Grant, Ellbogen Foundation Scholarship, and WyCOLT.
Related Wyoming Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Wyoming public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- WY Dept. of Education program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller