Wyoming’s commitment to education offers one of the highest high school graduation rates in the United States.
Low-Cost, High-Impact Education
The state’s labor force benefits from a strong commitment to education. Wyoming consistently ranks among the top 10 states in annual K-12 per-student spending (currently about $18,500 per student).
In 2005, Wyoming legislators created the Hathaway Scholarship program for qualified students who graduate from Wyoming high schools. It funds scholarships to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie and any of the eight community colleges strategically located throughout Wyoming.
The percentage of Wyomingites 25 and older with at least a high school diploma is 94.1. The percentage with a bachelor’s degree or more is 29.9 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019-2023).
Research Centers of Excellence
The University of Wyoming offers a world-class education with more than 200 areas of study in Laramie and via distance-learning programs, and it consistently ranks among the best-valued universities in the country. In early 2025, the University achieved Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Additionally, the School of Energy Resources and the College of Engineering and Applied Science have partnered to enhance education and research.
The Wyoming Business Council and the community colleges partner to target and develop employment training programs to meet the specific needs of businesses and industries.
Laramie County Community College is located on the south-east side of Cheyenne. They awarded 844 degrees and certificates during the 2023-2024 academic year and currently offer the following degree and Certificates:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Science
- Associate Degrees in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificates of Completion
- Credit Diplomas
Cheyenne K-12 Schools
- Click here for information about Laramie County School District #2 (Laramie County)
| Number of Elementary Schools | 34 |
| Number of Junior High/Middle Schools | 8 |
| Number of High Schools | 7 |
| Total District Enrollment | 14,903 |
| Graduation rate in School District#1/School District #2 | 84.95% |
Hathaway Scholarship Program
In 2006, the State of Wyoming established a generous scholarship program in the name of former
Wyoming Gov. Stan Hathaway that rewards eligible Wyoming students with scholarship money
to attend the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college. The program provides
merit- and need-based awards to eligible students. The scholarships are designed to provide an
incentive for students to prepare for and pursue post-secondary education within Wyoming at any
of the following institutions: Casper College, Central Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College,
Laramie County Community College, Northwest College, Sheridan College, Western Wyoming
Community College and the University of Wyoming.
Detailed eligibility and course information is available by calling the Wyoming Department of
Education at 777-8979, visiting their website at: https://hathawayscholarship.org/
Colleges & Universities
Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne has nearly 5,000 students. With three major research universities within an hour’s drive, there are over 56,000 college students within fifty miles of Cheyenne.
| Name | Enrollment | Location | Distance from Cheyenne |
| Laramie County Community College | 5,725 | Cheyenne, WY | 0 mi |
| Colorado State University | 33,648 | Fort Collins, CO | 41 mi |
| University of Wyoming | 10,813 | Laramie, WY | 42 mi |
| Wyoming Technical Institute | 993 | Laramie, WY | 42 mi |
| University of Northern Colorado | 8,561 | Greeley, CO | 50 mi |
| Eastern Wyoming College | 1,451 | Torrington, WY | 72 mi |
| Western Nebraska Community College | 2,395 | Scottsbluff, NE | 78 mi |
| University of Colorado – Boulder | 38,428 | Boulder, CO | 81 mi |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | 17,505 | Denver, CO | 97 mi |
| Regis University | 7,608 | Denver, CO | 97 mi |
| University of Colorado – Denver | 14,027 | Denver, CO | 97 mi |
| University of Denver | 12,813 | Denver, CO | 97 mi |
| Colorado School of Mines | 7,608 | Golden, CO | 98 mi |
| Colorado Christian University | 10,500 | Lakewood, CO | 100 mi |
| Casper College | 4,614 | Casper, WY | 142 mi |
| Chadron State College | 2,205 | Chadron, NE | 150 mi |
