Tour Tuesday: University of Wyoming
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this campus tour series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground! I recently spent a week in Colorado visiting over 10 schools in Colorado and Wyoming, so you’ll be seeing many of those schools first.
University of Wyoming: Grit, Mountains, and Big Opportunities in a Small State
Overview
When families visit the University of Wyoming (UW), two things quickly stand out: the wide-open feel of the campus and the grit of its students. With about 11,000 students (9,000 undergrads), UW is the only four-year public university in Wyoming, which means students here benefit from resources you’d normally only find spread across multiple campuses in other states.
The school emphasizes “Grit” as a theme, and it fits: life in Laramie is outdoorsy, a little rugged, and filled with opportunities for students who are ready to dive in. With 320+ sunny days each year, winters that can dip to –15° (it’s the wind that really gets you), and easy access to Colorado’s mountains without the crowds, UW attracts students who are both adventurous and academically ambitious.
Quick Look
Location: Laramie, Wyoming – classic college town, outdoors-focused, 320+ sunny days/year
Students: 11,000 total (9,000 undergrads)
Popular Programs: Engineering (petroleum, mechanical, aerospace), Agriculture & Animal Science, Pre-Professional (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-law)
Student Life Highlights: Canoe Battleship intramural, swing dancing club, female-only fly fishing, and a pinecone finals tradition
Athletics: D1 Mountain West; free tickets for students; Josh Allen legacy
Study Abroad: Largest endowment west of the Mississippi ($1B+), affordable programs worldwide
Cost (2025 est.): $38,000 total out-of-state; scholarships $8K–$14K+
Who Thrives Here: Outdoorsy, adventurous students who value grit, research access, and global opportunities
Location
Laramie is a classic college town with a Western feel. Horses occasionally wander onto the main lawn, and you’ll find plenty of local traditions that make UW uniquely Wyoming. Students are outdoors-driven, with easy access to hiking, climbing, fishing, and skiing. UW is even ranked the #1 outdoor school in the nation.
For skiers, the deal is hard to beat: a season pass for $350 at the local mountain, and for $150 more, five ski days at Steamboat Springs in Colorado.
Academics
UW is an R1 research institution, meaning it offers top-tier research opportunities, but with a Wyoming twist: there are more research dollars and fewer students competing for them. Students get real access to labs, faculty, and funding.
The largest college on campus is Engineering, with standout programs in:
Petroleum Engineering – featuring both an offshore simulator and a rig simulator.
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering – among the most popular majors.
Agriculture and Animal Science – huge here, and often a stepping stone for vet school.
Other academic highlights:
Pre-professional advising is built into your major choice (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-law, etc.).
Free tutoring is available for 100- and 200-level classes, easily booked online.
Classes are capped at 175 students, with upper-level classes averaging around 30.
Student Life
UW offers a close-knit and energetic student life, with quirky traditions and unique clubs. A few favorites:
Canoe Battleship – a popular intramural event where students sink each other’s canoes in the pool.
Country/Swing Dance Club – the largest club on campus, and a Guinness World Record holder for most swing dancers at one time.
Female-only Fly Fishing Club – a unique outdoor group.
The legendary pinecone toss: throw one into the T. rex’s mouth on campus for good luck on finals.
Other highlights:
Students get free tickets to all athletic games, including football.
Josh Allen (now in the NFL) is still actively involved with Wyoming athletics.
Club hockey traveled to China to compete at a partner school.
Rated as the #1 outdoor school in the country, reflecting the culture of adventure.
Athletics
Wyoming competes in the Mountain West Conference, and the spirit here is unmatched for a smaller state school. Athletes have their own dining hall, and sports like football, basketball, and rodeo keep students engaged.
Housing & Dining
There’s a first-year live-on requirement, but housing is improving fast:
Brand new dorms and a new dining hall opening in 2025.
Student apartments (university-owned but off-campus) with commuter meal plan options.
Affordable living: off-campus apartments average about $875/month, including utilities.
Study Abroad
Here’s where Wyoming really shines: UW has the largest endowment for international study abroad on the west side of the Mississippi - over $1 billion.
That translates to opportunities most schools can’t match:
Programs in 100+ countries, including short 2-week stints between semesters.
Scholarships and aid apply abroad, so students often pay the same Wyoming tuition abroad.
Opportunities are open to student-athletes as well.
Admissions Information
UW is accessible for a wide range of students:
Assured admission: 3.0 unweighted GPA.
Holistic review: Students with 2.25+ are considered.
Transfers: 2.0 GPA with 12 credit hours.
This flexibility makes UW approachable while still offering a strong academic experience.
Cost & Scholarships
One of UW’s biggest draws is affordability.
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: $24,000
Total Cost of Attendance: About $38,000
Books: Maxed at $275 (the school covers anything above that).
Scholarships:
WUE Scholarship – worth about $14,000 annually, for students with a 3.75 GPA and 27 ACT / 1260 SAT.
Out-of-State Scholarships: $8,000 max without test scores; $12,000 max with strong test scores.
These stackable scholarships mean many families see a significant reduction from the sticker price.
Fun Facts & Traditions
Horses on the main lawn? It happens.
The “Born in a Barn” eatery is a must-visit for students and visitors alike.
Each STEM floor is painted a different color to represent its field.
The on-campus planetarium and NASA-grade telescope bring the stars closer to students.
Tossing a pinecone into the T. rex’s mouth is a finals tradition for good luck.
Final Thoughts
The University of Wyoming is a hidden gem: affordable, adventurous, and full of big-school opportunities in a close-knit community. Students here benefit from world-class research funding without heavy competition, unique outdoor and cultural traditions, and a spirit of grit that defines the school.
For students who love the outdoors, want strong support for STEM or agriculture, or dream of studying abroad with unbeatable funding, Wyoming offers a one-of-a-kind college experience.
