Explore Wyoming's Top PhDs: Online & Campus Learning
Ready to explore doctoral programs in Wyoming? Wyoming may be a small state, but it has a strong higher education system with plenty of subjects to explore.
Wyoming is a very small state, and only around 80 people received a doctorate in 2021, the fourth lowest in the U.S. While there aren’t as many educational opportunities compared to states like California and New York, that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for PhD programs in Wyoming.
If you’re passionate about nature and science, interested in rural healthcare, or want to contribute to industries like energy and mining, Wyoming is a great place to earn your PhD. This guide can help prospective doctoral students in Wyoming choose the best programs and subjects for them.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Wyoming for 2024
With the smallest population size in the U.S., Wyoming has some of the fewest higher education institutions in the country. While there are plenty of colleges for those pursuing bachelor’s degrees, you have only one option if you want a PhD from a Wyoming school – the University of Wyoming. As the state’s flagship institution, you don’t have to worry about the quality of your education. There are plenty of research and learning opportunities in just this one university, especially if you’re interested in scientific fields.
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is the state’s only public research university and the only university qualified to run doctoral programs in Wyoming. This sprawling institution is home to seven colleges, from engineering to agriculture, and offers a variety of doctoral and PhD programs in all those areas. Alongside traditional PhD programs, it also offers online doctoral programs in Wyoming as well as hybrid programs that allow you to attend partially on campus and partially from home. Though it may be your only option for doctoral programs in Wyoming, UW doesn’t skimp on its education. The historic institution has plenty of top PhD programs and plenty of amenities, including multiple museums, on campus. If you’re not interested in attending classes on campus, you can take advantage of the online PhD programs in Wyoming or consider looking for other 100% online programs.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Wyoming
Wyoming is home to a diverse range of studies as well as various types of programs to suit your needs. Whether you want to attend school full-time or are looking for an accelerated program, there are plenty of ways to approach these PhD programs in Wyoming.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
If you want to dedicate your full focus to your studies, a full-time PhD program is probably the right choice. With this type of study, you can generally finish in three to five years with the dissertation alone taking two years to complete. Examples of full-time PhD programs include UW’s PhD in Animal and Veterinary Science and PhD in Economics.
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
If you already have a master’s degree, chances are you’re working on your career and don’t have the time to dedicate to being a full-time student. With part-time PhD studies, you can take longer – generally five to eight years – to earn your doctoral degree. Examples of part-time PhD programs in Wyoming include UW’s PhD in Computer Science and PhD in Literacy Education.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
If you’re looking to have your PhD studies fully funded, most public universities offer a variety of grants, scholarships, and programs that could fully fund your education. These often place you within unique research projects and offer opportunities to immerse yourself in a field. UW’s PhD in Economics and PhD in Petroleum Engineering are good examples of fully-funded doctoral programs in Wyoming.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
Many PhD programs in Wyoming require you to take the GRE, a general knowledge entrance exam, but this isn’t always necessary. If you’re looking for programs that don’t require GRE test scores, good examples of no-GRE doctorates are UW’s PhD in Computer Science and PhD in Electrical Engineering.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
Gifted students may wish to earn their PhD or doctoral degree at a much faster pace, finishing their studies in one to four years. Many universities offer accelerated PhD programs, some even available in one-year formats, that let you hit the ground running when you graduate. However, while UW offers accelerated programs for master’s degrees, there are currently no accelerated PhD programs in Wyoming.
Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Wyoming
A dissertation is the keystone of many online doctoral programs in Wyoming. Researching and defending your dissertation can take two years alone, and failing to do so can often result in failing to earn your PhD. However, not all doctoral programs require a dissertation and instead replace it with a capstone project. In Wyoming, however, you may have a hard time finding a program like this, as all graduate students at UW must complete at least 12 dissertation hours.
Wyoming’s Top PhDs: Discover What’s in Demand
Arts and Sciences
At the University of Wyoming’s College of Arts and Sciences, you learn about liberal arts and pure sciences, including anthropology, psychology, English, and history. This is ideal for curious and creative individuals who enjoy doing research and are passionate about topics like human culture and literature.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Education and Research
The College of Education at the University of Wyoming is the ideal place to study if your aspirations lie strictly in the field of education. If you want to teach others using what you learn and become a leader and advisor, this field is fitting.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- University of Wyoming’s Doctor of Learning, Design, and Technology
- University of Wyoming’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Engineering
Pragmatic thinkers with a strong aptitude in mathematics, science, and problem-solving are ideal candidates for UW’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences where they learn how to apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Healthcare
Becoming a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist isn’t easy, but helping others can be extremely rewarding. UW’s College of Health Sciences teaches the ins and outs of medical practice, and online doctoral programs in Wyoming are also available.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- University of Wyoming’s Doctor of Pharmacy
- University of Wyoming’s DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Nature and Science
Suited for individuals fascinated by the natural world, UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources offers programs in nature and science. Wyoming is rich in such resources, so you can expect plenty of real-world application in your studies.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Start on Your Online Doctoral Journey in Wyoming
Hybrid and online doctoral programs in Wyoming offer more flexibility than a traditional learning format while still giving you access to the same quality of educational instruction. The degree of online doctoral studies is somewhat limited in Wyoming, though. There’s only one university that can hand out doctoral degrees and just a handful of its programs are online or hybrid, including a few in the education and healthcare fields to pick from. Those include the 100% online Learning, Design, and Technology PhD or the hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Many students choose online learning to help them better maintain a healthy work-life-study balance. Some programs are asynchronous, so you can do them at your own pace while others still require you to stick to a class schedule. In hybrid programs, components like labs and residencies are done in person at the university. Earn a PhD from home can be challenging, so be ready to reach out to your peers and educators and put extra effort into networking to get the same benefits as on-campus students.
Tapping into Assistance: Funding Your Wyoming Doctoral Degree
As a high-achieving person interested in doctoral programs in Wyoming, you’re likely interested in financial aid opportunities. Most PhD programs offered by public research universities are fully funded through graduate assistantships or by other means. You may also want to look into scholarships/grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. For example, all graduate students in Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wyoming receive full funding via assistantship.
You can also find scholarships and doctoral research grants available for PhD programs in Wyoming. Earning these can be competitive since slots are limited, but you can at least rely on your assistantship to fund your doctoral studies.
Earnings for Doctorate Holders in Wyoming
In Wyoming, earning a PhD or doctoral degree can significantly boost your earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with doctoral degrees make on average $2,109/week ($110k/year) compared to master’s degree holders who earn only $1,737/week ($90k/year).
According to Wyoming’s Department of Workforce Services, only 1.2% of projected jobs are for doctoral degrees. However, with less than 100 people earning their PhD each year in Wyoming, competition is low. Lawyers, postsecondary teachers, physical therapists, and pharmacists are options for employment. See the table below to compare salaries in various professions.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist | PhD in Anthropology | $63,800 | $102,150 |
| Biostatistician | PhD in Statistics | $104,110 | $163,360 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $115,730 | $216,900 |
| Geologist | PhD in Geology | $92,580 | $172,600 |
| Mining Engineer | PhD in Engineering | $100,640 | $160,820 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $126,260 | $168,030 |
| Political Scientist | PhD in Political Science | $132,350 | $183,500 |
| Professor | PhD | $79,870 | $177,050 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $96,100 | $168,870 |
| Veterinarian | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | $119,100 | $201,440 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023