Western Wyoming Community College: $4,250 Tuition

$4,250Tuition

1,289Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,939Earnings

#9 in WyomingPublic4-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Western Wyoming Community College

Western Wyoming Community College serves the energy industry heartland with practical programs that get students working quickly. The college enrolls 1,289 students in a remote town setting where mining, energy, and ranching shape the local economy. Students here focus on career-ready programs like welding, heavy equipment operation, and nursing that connect directly to regional job opportunities.

Students pay an average net price of $8,420 after financial aid, making this an affordable path to career training. Graduates earn a median of $40,939 ten years after starting, with typical debt loads of just $9,000. The low debt burden means monthly loan payments average only $95, making the financial commitment manageable for most students. About 95.1% of graduates find employment, reflecting the college's strong industry connections.

The student body is 84.4% Wyoming residents who stay close to home for practical training. Women make up 59% of enrollment, often pursuing healthcare and business programs. The Mustangs compete in five NJCAA sports with 95 total athletes sharing $554,400 in athletic scholarships. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention as they prepare for careers in Wyoming's resource-based economy.

Academics & Faculty

Western Wyoming Community College serves as a regional training center for Wyoming's energy and healthcare industries. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates small classroom environments where instructors know students personally. Popular programs include nursing, welding, and heavy equipment operation, which connect directly to local job markets in mining and energy. The 33% graduation rate reflects the college's open-access mission and the reality that many students transfer after completing prerequisites or earning certificates rather than degrees. Strong workforce development partnerships with local employers mean students often find jobs before graduation. The college also offers solid transfer pathways to four-year universities for students planning to continue their education.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 33.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 33.3%
Retention Rate: 50.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,939

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$28,019

View all 73 programs →

Campus Life

Rock Springs sits 180 miles from Salt Lake City in Wyoming's high desert, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing and students bundle up in heavy coats from October through April. With housing for just 422 students and total enrollment of 1,289, only about a third of students live on campus. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially important at a school where 50% of students return for their second year.

Weekend options depend heavily on outdoor activities since Rock Springs has limited nightlife. Students head to Flaming Gorge Reservoir for fishing and boating or explore the nearby Red Desert. The Mustangs compete in five NJCAA sports with 95 total athletes, creating a tight-knit athletic community. Women make up 59% of the student body, and 84% of students come from in-state. Many students work while attending since the employment rate hits 95.1%. The campus culture revolves around practical career preparation rather than traditional college social scenes, reflecting the community college mission of serving local workforce needs.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 422 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1959

Campus Safety (2023)

9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Dating Violence	2	2
Rape	2	1
Stalking	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 12°–30°F
July Avg: 54°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 24.3"
Annual Snowfall: 37.9"

Student Demographics

Western Wyoming draws mostly local students, with 84% coming from within the state. The student body reflects the region's demographics, with three-quarters identifying as white and nearly one in five as Hispanic. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing, dental hygiene, and other health sciences fields. The school serves as an affordable entry point for working-class families in southwestern Wyoming's energy corridor. Only 18% receive Pell Grants, suggesting students come from middle-income households seeking practical career training close to home.

Men: 41.0%
Women: 59.0%
White: 74.2%
Black: 0.7%
Hispanic: 17.5%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 84.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 17.5%

Location

Rock Springs sits in southwestern Wyoming, about 180 miles from Salt Lake City. The town of 23,000 serves as a regional center in this high desert landscape. Students live at 6,271 feet elevation surrounded by red rock formations and sagebrush plains. The area built its economy on coal mining and natural gas extraction. With 84% of students coming from in-state, most know Wyoming's wide-open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities. Rock Springs offers small-town familiarity where everyone recognizes faces around campus. The nearest shopping mall requires a two-hour drive. Students considering colleges in Wyoming may also compare Western Wyoming Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,939
Median Earnings (5 years): $51,940
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $35,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 52.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $95/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Western Wyoming Community College?

As a community college, Western Wyoming maintains an open admissions policy for students with high school diplomas or equivalent. The college enrolls 1,289 students and serves as an accessible entry point to higher education in southwestern Wyoming. About 84% of students come from within Wyoming.

How much does Western Wyoming Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,420 annually after aid is applied. In-state tuition runs $4,250 while out-of-state students pay $10,550. Only 17.5% of students receive federal financial aid, reflecting the college's affordable base pricing.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Western Wyoming Community College?

The college maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. This ratio supports the college's focus on career preparation and transfer programs. About 50% of students return for their second year.

What are the career outcomes for Western Wyoming Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $40,939 ten years after enrollment with a 95.1% employment rate. The college specializes in workforce development programs aligned with Wyoming's energy and mining industries. Most graduates carry manageable debt loads of around $9,000.

Where is Western Wyoming Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Rock Springs, a remote mining town in southwestern Wyoming's high desert. Campus housing accommodates 422 students in a tight-knit community setting. The Mustangs compete in five NJCAA sports with 95 total athletes receiving $554,400 in athletic scholarships.

Does Western Wyoming Community College offer four-year degrees?

Despite being listed as offering four-year programs, Western Wyoming primarily functions as a traditional two-year community college. The 33% graduation rate reflects both associate degree completion and transfers to four-year institutions. Most students use the college as a stepping stone to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere or enter the workforce directly.