Educational Attainment in Wyoming
29.9% of Wyoming adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 93.5% have completed high school, reflecting solid basic education outcomes.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502WY).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 29.9 | 34.3 |
- •Wyoming's high school completion rate of 93.5% exceeds the national average.
- •The state has no in-state medical or law school, sending many graduates elsewhere.
- •University of Wyoming is the state's only four-year public university.
Schools in Wyoming
Wyoming has around 350 public schools serving approximately 93,000 K-12 students across its 48 school districts.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 students (thousands) | 93 | 49500 |
- •Wyoming's per-pupil spending of about $18,000 ranks among the top 10 states.
- •Small rural districts often serve fewer than 200 students total.
- •School consolidation remains a recurring policy debate in sparsely populated counties.
Universities in Wyoming
The University of Wyoming, located in Laramie, is the state's only four-year public university, enrolling about 11,000 students, complemented by seven community colleges.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Four-year public universities | 1 | 13.5 |
- •The University of Wyoming is the only four-year public university in the entire state.
- •Wyoming's seven community colleges provide access across its rural regions.
- •UW participates in the WWAMI program for medical education since it lacks its own medical school.
Graduation Rates in Wyoming
Wyoming's high school graduation rate is approximately 82%, slightly below the national average of about 87%.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 82 | 87 |
- •Wyoming's graduation rate trails the national average despite strong per-pupil funding.
- •Rural districts sometimes report lower graduation rates due to student mobility.
- •The state has invested in career and technical education to improve completion rates.
Student Enrollment in Wyoming
Wyoming's K-12 public schools enroll approximately 93,000 students, the smallest total student population of any U.S. state.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total K-12 enrollment (thousands) | 93 | 49500 |
- •Wyoming has the smallest K-12 student population in the United States.
- •Enrollment has remained relatively stable due to slow population growth.
- •Boarding-style commuting is common for students in remote ranching communities.
Student-Teacher Ratios in Wyoming
Wyoming maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of about 12.5 to 1, well below the national average, supported by strong per-pupil funding.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 12.5 | 15.4 |
- •Wyoming's low student-teacher ratio is enabled by mineral revenue funding education.
- •Small rural schools naturally produce smaller class sizes.
- •The ratio ranks among the best in the nation for individualized attention.