Accounting Schools in Wyoming

Nicknamed the Cowboy State, Wyoming is the ninth-largest state but has the smallest population of any state. Wyoming has peaceful plains where bison roam freely, and stunning national parks like the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.

For those interested in outdoor adventures and a slower pace of life, Wyoming is an excellent state to pursue an accounting degree. Although Wyoming only has one major public university, the state offers quality education at an affordable rate.

Wyoming is committed to expanding its business sector and keeping talent in the state. Potential for growth is popping up across career fields. In fact, Wyoming is anticipated to add more jobs than average in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics over the next decade.

Since accounting is an important aspect to all types of business, now is the perfect time to pursue an accounting career in Wyoming. Learn more about earning an accounting degree in Wyoming. Find out more about different career opportunities for accountants in Wyoming.

Colleges in Wyoming offer rigorous education with tuition costs that are consistently lower than the national average.

Despite being the state’s only major university, the University of Wyoming (UW) boasts small class sizes. Around 300 students are enrolled in the UW’s School of Business, and 64.9% of accounting students have passed the Uniform CPA Examination on their first try.

Between the University of Wyoming and the state’s community colleges, Wyoming ranks as one of the best states to pursue higher education. Enrolled students get low tuition costs, low cost of living, and higher graduation rates. Wyoming graduates tend to have less loan debt.

The state’s accounting field is booming and not projected to slow down, so attending a college in Wyoming can allow you to network and forge connections with people and companies in the state that may be hiring when you graduate.

Because accountants are needed across all business types, Wyoming accountant graduates can find exciting careers across a variety of unique industries, from government agencies to agricultural technology.

Wyoming is home to only 17 higher education institutions. The University of Wyoming is the state’s only four-year public university. Despite the small number of schools, the state allocates more funds for students than the national average. Explore more educational statistics below.

As you narrow down your accounting degree options in Wyoming, carefully consider each school’s accreditation status. A school’s accreditation may help guide you when selecting a school.

When a school is accredited, it means its programs meet a set of quality standards created by an outside accrediting agency or body. These standards ensure that students are receiving a rigorous and quality education. There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic.

Institutional accreditation recognizes that the university as a whole meets academic standards. Programmatic or specialized accreditation refers to programs, departments, or schools within an institution that meet academic and industry standards and criteria. Programs or schools of study, like business, may have programmatic accreditation in addition to institutional accreditation.

Wyoming’s regional accrediting body is the Higher Learning Commission. Their website can help you determine if a school is accredited.

With its low tuition rates and lower cost of living, pursuing a degree in Wyoming is affordable. The growing accounting industry in Wyoming makes setting roots in Wyoming, whether in person or online, advantageous.

Schools in Wyoming offer on-campus, online, and hybrid programs for pursuing your degree. Learn more about each delivery format to determine what might be the best fit for you.

Attending college in Wyoming can connect you to the community, which can be especially helpful if you are planning on finding employment in Wyoming after graduation.

Being an on-campus student has many advantages. You may find it’s easier to make connections with others and, depending on your learning style, may benefit from a consistent schedule. You may also have easier access to resources like libraries, printers, and professors.

Pursuing an accounting degree online can allow you more flexibility. With little to no set meeting times in an asynchronous program, you can fit your college classes into your busy schedule. This can be especially appealing if you already work or are a parent. Online learners need to have excellent time management skills and be self-driven.

Being an online student can save you time and money. With no need to commute or find parking, you have more time to work on your assignments. Some colleges offer an online tuition rate that is cheaper than the in-person rate.

Hybrid programs mix in-person and online components. As a hybrid learner, you attend both fully online and in-person courses. Or, you may be part of an online program that has an in-person component, like an intensive in-person summer class or in-person labs or internships.

Now more than ever, obtaining a college degree is an investment. Although the costs of college continue to rise, Wyoming is a cost-effective state to pursue a degree. As the table below notes, Wyoming’s tuition costs are below the national average for public four-year universities.

There are many ways to help finance your education. You can complete the FAFSA to see if you qualify for federal student loans and grants. While loans will need to be repaid, grant money does not require repayment. You can also explore private loans if your federal funds do not cover all of your costs.

Scholarships are another avenue to help pay for your college education with money that does not need to be repaid. You can find resources that list scholarship opportunities. You can also check with your college’s financial aid department to find scholarships at your school.

In-state tuition rates are often much lower than tuition rates for out-of-state students, and Wyoming is no different. Although Wyoming’s out-of-state tuition rates are higher than the in-state rates, both rates are noticeably lower than the national average.

Online programs may offer a single rate for tuition regardless of residency. This cost is usually lower than the out-of-state rate for in-person learners.

Students who are residents in states that participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange can receive a cheaper tuition rate at Wyoming colleges. Participating states include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and South Dakota.

While looking at accounting colleges in Wyoming, you should consider costs beyond tuition and fees. Things like housing, food, and utilities are considered costs of living and vary from state to state.

Wyoming’s cost of living is lower than the national average, according to MERIC, which means it is less expensive to live in Wyoming than most other states. This combined with lower tuition costs could make attending an accounting college in Wyoming cost-efficient, even for out-of-state residents.

Between the natural resources, farming, and tourism, there are diverse job opportunities for accounting graduates in Wyoming.

Along with being the country’s top coal producer, Wyoming’s major industries include agriculture, engineering, and energy. Accountants play an integral role in all these industries, making sure companies are in compliance with tax laws and helping with budget and financing.

Wyoming is known for being a business-friendly state.

The Economic Development Agency touts state business loans, and the Wyoming Business Council describes Wyoming as having a business-friendly tax framework. With its projected growth, Wyoming could provide a great environment for start-ups.

Check out common career paths for accounting graduates in Wyoming, exploring job salaries, numbers, and projected growth.

For those looking to pursue a lucrative accounting career, Wyoming is an excellent state to do so. Wyoming is projected to experience job growth in the accounting field at a rate nearly three times the amount of the national average.

Because Wyoming offers a lower-than-average cost of living, prospective accountants can earn decent introductory salaries, even with only an associate degree. Those looking to make Wyoming a more permanent home can earn higher wages, at lower-than-average tuition costs, by pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Each state has various requirements for being a certified public accountant (CPA), and while usually similar, if you’re looking for a CPA certification, you’ll need to check every state you’re hoping to practice in.

In order to sit for the Wyoming CPA exam, you must:

If you have met all these requirements, you can register to take the CPA exam. You must earn a minimum score of 75 in each section to pass.

In order to maintain your CPA, you must complete a minimum of 120 continuing education credits. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website breaks down specific requirements for Wyoming residents.