At $11,779/yr net price, University of Wyoming graduates earn $56,880/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,880/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,779 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,116 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,880/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,880/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,602/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,618/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,168/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,315/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,136/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $125,611 | |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,949 | $24,188 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $66,915 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,369 | $17,074 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,997 | $32,072 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $18,825 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $14,125 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $22,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $58,402 | $7,500 |
| Education, General. | Master | $57,318 | $24,396 |
The Risk Factor
59.8% of students at University of Wyoming graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The University of Wyoming gives you a strong financial return for the money. You graduate with a median debt of $18,000 against median earnings that clear $56,000 a decade out, and the net price sits under $12,000 a year. Those two numbers together mean you can pay off what you borrowed without stretching for years.
The programs that pay off are concentrated in engineering and nursing. Petroleum engineering leads, which fits Wyoming's energy economy, and its graduates out-earn every other major here even though they carry the heaviest debt at over $24,000. Nursing is the safer bet: strong pay with debt below $17,000, so you keep more of what you earn. Computer science is the value play, pairing solid earnings with the lowest debt on the list at roughly $14,000. Mechanical engineering earns less than the others while carrying $22,000 in debt, so the payoff is thinner there.
The main risk is finishing. A 60% graduation rate and a 77% retention rate mean a real chance you leave with debt and no degree, which flips this from a good deal to a bad one. The petroleum engineering path also ties your earnings to a boom-and-bust industry, so plan for pay that swings with oil and gas.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $7,600 a year, while families over $110,000 pay closer to $18,000. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets is steep, so middle-income families feel the cost most.
This school fits you if you're headed into engineering, nursing, or computer science and you're confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or shaky on completing a degree, the graduation odds make it a riskier bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wyoming worth the cost compared to other colleges?
University of Wyoming offers solid value with a low net price of $11,779 annually and relatively low median debt of $18,000. However, the 10-year median earnings of $56,880 are below national averages, and the 60% graduation rate indicates completion risk.
What are the best paying majors at University of Wyoming?
Pharmacy leads with $125,611 median earnings, followed by Petroleum Engineering at $73,949. Most other programs cluster around $60,000-67,000, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance.
How much debt do University of Wyoming graduates typically have?
The median debt is $18,000, which is lower than the national average. Combined with the affordable net price, this keeps the debt burden manageable for most graduates.
Does University of Wyoming have a good graduation rate?
The 60% graduation rate is concerning and below national averages. This means 4 out of 10 students don't complete their degree, which represents a significant risk to your investment.