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Historicdowntownlaramiewyoming3Photo: Catlin Mary Ann Miller · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Laramie

Laramie is a college town: 32 of every 100 residents are students

The University of Wyoming (8,832 students on campus) and WyoTech (1,206) are inside the city. Across Wyoming, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town32% of residents are studentsWyoTechUniversity of Wyoming

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Laramie. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
10,038 students on campus
Nearest college
1 mi
WyoTech
Residents in college
32%
Above WY (6%)
Nearest community college
45.4 mi
Laramie County · $4,613 tuition
Nearest public university
1.4 mi
University of Wyoming · $7,768 in-state
Students on campus in Laramie
10,038
next to 32,284 residents

What stands out about college in Laramie

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town32 of every 100 Laramie residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Wyoming.Two colleges within 1.4 milesUniversity of Wyoming admits 97% of applicants. Together they have 10,038 students on campus.In-state price at University of WyomingLiving in Wyoming, the University of Wyoming charges $7,768 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $24,178. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 45.4 miles awayLaramie County Community College in Cheyenne: tuition and fees $4,613 a year for Wyoming residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Laramie

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

32 of every 100 Laramie residents are in college (WY: 6).

10,038students on campus at Laramie’s 2 colleges, next to 32,284 residents (dorm students count as residents)
7,748college students live in Laramie households rather than dorms
26.9median age · WY 39.1
53%of residents are men · WY 51% (±0.6 points)
56%of homes rented · WY 28%
$925median rent · 7% below the state
LaramieLaramie, WY
Cost of living$925/mo median rentCSafetyCrime reported to the FBIB−HealthCDC estimatesA−Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundB−HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Laramie’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income B−

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 22.7% of Laramie residents are below the poverty line, 9.9% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 4 points either way). 58% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (32% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health A−

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Laramie’s median age is 26.9 (Wyoming 39.1), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B−

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Laramie

One private college within 1 mile, and one public college within 1.4 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of WyomingWyoTechLaramie
University or collegeCommunity college
WyoTechUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,206 on campus · In Laramie$37knet price85%graduate$50kearningsUniversity of WyomingUniversity or college · Public · 8,832 on campus · In Laramie97%admitted$14knet price59%graduate$57kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Laramie’s median household income ($55,613) falls.

University of WyomingIn Laramie · sticker $24,818$9,585a year
WyoTechIn Laramie · sticker $40,119$35,278a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Laramie: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →WyoTechUniversity of Wyoming
University of Wyoming59% graduate$57k earnings$18k typical debt
WyoTech85% graduate$50k earnings$7k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Laramie

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Laramie’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 15%Mechanics & repair 13%Health professions 9%Education 7%Psychology 6%Engineering 6%Everything else 42%

Biggest programs

Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Wyoming · 159 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Wyoming · 142 graduates a year
$84k4 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchUniversity of Wyoming · 91 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasUniversity of Wyoming · 91 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsUniversity of Wyoming · 83 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsUniversity of Wyoming · 78 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management ServicesUniversity of Wyoming · 78 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessUniversity of Wyoming · 76 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Laramie

Is Laramie a college town?

Yes. 32 of every 100 Laramie residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Wyoming. The University of Wyoming has 8,832 students on campus, next to 32,284 residents.

What colleges are in Laramie?

The University of Wyoming and WyoTech are inside the city. Laramie County Community College is 45.4 miles away in Cheyenne.

Why is Laramie’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 22.7% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 9.9% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 4 points).

What is the closest community college to Laramie, and what does it cost?

Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, 45.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,613 a year for Wyoming residents; the federal net price, $7,287, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into the University of Wyoming?

The University of Wyoming admitted 97% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Laramie. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →