Laramie, WY · Private University
Is University of Wyoming Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,880
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,938
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,718
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$90,872
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.50x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
59.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,779
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Wyoming graduates earn $11,880 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Wyoming ranked by graduate earnings
40 graduates
20 graduates
22 graduates
161 graduates
70 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Wyoming
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Wyoming, the gap between the highest-earning major (Petroleum Engineering: $89,957) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $26,053) is $63,904/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum EngineeringBest ROI | $89,957 | 4.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $83,493 | 3.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,706 | 3.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,177 | 3.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,942 | 3.3x |
| Architectural Engineering | $73,951 | 3.3x |
| Computer Science | $73,496 | 3.2x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $70,826 | 3.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,504 | 2.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $64,474 | 2.8x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $62,557 | 2.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,434 | 2.6x |
| Marketing | $57,882 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,692 | 2.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,750 | 2.5x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $55,932 | 2.5x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $54,419 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,182 | 2.3x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,685 | 2.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,587 | 2.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $49,935 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,791 | 2.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,685 | 2.0x |
| Animal Sciences | $45,390 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,179 | 2.0x |
| History | $44,301 | 1.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,820 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,738 | 1.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,566 | 1.8x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $40,280 | 1.8x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $39,467 | 1.7x |
| International/Global Studies | $39,437 | 1.7x |
| Social Sciences, General | $39,407 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $37,119 | 1.6x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $36,974 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $36,293 | 1.6x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $27,059 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $26,053 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Wyoming stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,880 10 years after starting, $11,880 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.