Nursing in Wyoming

Wyoming’s seven nursing schools are spread across just a handful of cities, with many located in larger towns like Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper, and Gillette.  Most programs, including LPN, ADN, and BSN tracks, are housed at community colleges or small public universities rather than large urban campuses.

The state’s average NCLEX pass rate has been improving, hitting about 87.5% in 2025 and 2026, with top programs reaching near 95%. However, wide variation exists between schools, partly due to smaller cohort sizes and resources available to students. Wyoming’s lack of nursing schools with large enrollments means each program’s outcomes can swing widely year to year. No for-profit nursing schools significantly impact these results; most programs are public and tied to community colleges or universities.

Wyoming is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This means nurses licensed here must pursue separate licenses to work in compact states like Idaho, Utah, or Montana, which can add hassle and expense for those seeking work beyond Wyoming’s borders. Reciprocity agreements do exist but require individual applications and fees, which affects mobility compared to neighboring compact states.

Salaries for RNs in Wyoming average around $84,000 but vary greatly. Lower salaries cluster in rural hospitals and clinics; higher pay appears in places like Cheyenne or near oil and gas industry hubs. NPs earn more than $120,000, and CRNAs exceed $225,000, yet the roughly 15%-20% higher cost of living in certain Wyoming towns impacts take-home pay. LPNs typically make about $58,000. The nursing job market shows steady demand but with some competition in urban areas; rural shortages persist, especially for advanced practice roles.

Tuition costs for nursing programs are generally below the national average, with LPN programs often under $6,000 per year at community colleges. ADN and BSN tuition runs from about $7,000 to $15,000 annually depending on the school and if students are in-state. This affordability helps offset Wyoming’s higher living costs, though private institutions charge premiums. Many students rely on scholarships and grants specific to Wyoming to bridge the financial gap.

Major healthcare employers include Banner Health in Casper and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, which shape local nursing opportunities and specialties.