The Top Nursing Schools in Wyoming
- Top Schools and Programs
- How to Choose a Program
- Why Become a Nurse
- Salary Outlook
- State Nursing Requirements
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased / Getty ImagesNursing jobs are growing rapidly in Wyoming, with registered nurse (RN) positions projected to increase faster than the national rate. If you attend a nursing program in Wyoming, you can get a multistate license to increase job prospects.
Keep reading to learn about the best nursing schools in Wyoming, how to earn your Wyoming nursing license, and what you can expect to earn.
The Best Nursing Schools in Wyoming
A two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) includes lower admission requirements and gets you working faster. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) takes longer and includes more competitive admissions, but it also offers more advancement opportunities. This guide can help you choose the degree that’s right for you and which school best suits your career goals and budget.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Wyoming, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,480
- Out-of-state$14,472
- In-State$5,076
- Out-of-state$15,174
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled11,829
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Casper College
- Casper, WY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,970
- Out-of-state$8,910
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Northwest College
- Powell, WY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,970
- Out-of-state$8,910
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,438
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Laramie County Community College
- Cheyenne, WY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,970
- Out-of-state$8,910
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,838
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Wyoming
When examining nursing schools in Wyoming, consider your budget and the cost, financial aid, the National Council Licensure Examinations for RNs (NCLEX-RN) pass rate (a key measure of quality), the admission requirements and acceptance rate, and the logistics of attending. If you plan to attend an online nursing program, be sure you can find clinical placement in your community.
Because unaccredited programs are an unnecessary risk of your time and money, this page only lists accredited nursing programs.
Why Become a Nurse in Wyoming
In-state RN programs in Wyoming have the lowest in-state tuition rate in the country at $5,790 per year for a public, four-year program. Because Wyoming is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, graduates can apply for a multistate license. Wyoming also has above-average job growth for RNs and a below-average cost of living.
Wyoming features the Great Plains on the eastern side of the state and mountains on the western side. Residents enjoy plenty of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Wyoming is also home to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Devils Tower National Monument.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Wyoming
The average salary for RNs in Wyoming is $72,600 and $118,810 for nurse practitioners (NPs), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This makes the state RN and NP salary slightly below the national median of $77,600 and $120,680, respectively. The cost of living is below average, at 94.3, partly because Wyoming has no state income tax.
The number of RN jobs is projected to grow 16.2% between 2018 and 2028, faster than the national average of 12.1%. The BLS also projects 30% growth for NP positions.
Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Wyoming
Wyoming is better known for its wilderness and national parks than for its cities, but Cheyenne and Casper both offer a combination of city living and easy access to outdoor recreation, with populations of 60,000 and 55,000, respectively.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Median Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $80,090 |
| Casper | $70,520 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Wyoming
All states require RNs to earn a license by graduating from nursing school, passing the relevant national examination, and clearing a criminal background check. Upon graduating from nursing school, RNs can apply for a temporary license while they wait for their NCLEX-RN results.
RN Requirements
To earn an RN license, you must graduate from a nursing school in Wyoming or another NLC state with an ADN or a BSN degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete a criminal background check with fingerprinting.
The state board of nursing automatically vets applicants for a multistate license; you do not need to apply separately. The application fee is $130, and the background check fee is $60. You must renew your license every two years.
APRN Requirements
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you must earn a graduate degree in nursing, either a master of science in nursing or doctor of nursing practice, pass the relevant national board examination for your nursing specialty, and have a current and unencumbered RN license.
A license with prescriptive authority costs $380, and one without costs $310. In Wyoming, APRNs have full-practice authority. The state board of nursing has entered the APRN Licensure Compact, but it will not be active until seven states have joined.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming
How long does it take to become an RN in Wyoming?
You must have either a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN. Applications take approximately three weeks to process, once the state board of nursing receives the completed forms. You can apply for a temporary license, which expires if you do not pass the NCLEX-RN.
Is there a nursing shortage in Wyoming?
Wyoming was experiencing a nursing shortage even before COVID-19, and the pandemic made it worse. All types of healthcare providers are facing a shortage of available nurses, and nursing schools in Wyoming cannot hire enough staff to meet the demands.
Is Wyoming an RN compact state?
Wyoming is an NLC state. Once you graduate nursing school in Wyoming and apply for a license, the state board of nursing automatically checks your eligibility for a multistate license.
How much does nursing school cost in Wyoming?
Depending on the degree and institution, nursing schools in Wyoming are the cheapest in the country. A four-year BSN at a public school in Wyoming costs an average of $5,790 for in-state tuition and fees. ADN programs are somewhat cheaper, but the costs have risen more than 40% over the last five years.
