Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Laramie, Wyoming
97.4% Acceptance Rate
University of Wyoming — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.4%Acceptance Rate
3.53Avg GPA
1140Avg SAT
$22,371Annual Cost
$56,880Grad Salary
22.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.4%
Avg GPA
3.53
Avg SAT
1140
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1100–1170
Avg Net Price
$11,779
Need-Based Aid
22.2% receive Pell
University of Wyoming is the state's flagship public research institution, recognized for its comprehensive academic offerings, strong research initiatives, and commitment to the local community. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and a student's demonstrated readiness for a challenging university experience. The university seeks intellectually ambitious students who are prepared to engage in a wide array of research and professional opportunities within a large, supportive, and active campus.
When applying, prospective students should emphasize their success in advanced core courses and their involvement in extracurricular activities that showcase their intellectual curiosity or leadership potential. The university values applicants who are proactive and eager to take advantage of its vast resources, from engineering to the liberal arts. Clearly articulating how one's professional goals align with the university's commitment to research and innovation is a key strategy for a competitive application.
University of Wyoming Acceptance Rate
University of Wyoming (UW) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 97.4% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.08
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Wyoming Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Wyoming is August 15 for Regular applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 19 days left — Regular
Regular
August 15
Priority
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UW GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UW is 3.53. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.23 and 3.53? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.73–3.93.UW GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.13 – 3.32
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.12
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Public flagship in Laramie, WY ("Cowboys"); $40 non-refundable application fee; rolling admission with average admitted GPA reported around 3.55.
- Home-schooled students qualify for Hathaway based on ACT/SAT scores and curriculum requirements specifically - GPA is explicitly NOT considered for this applicant category, a notable structural difference from traditional high school graduates.
- Part-time students (6-11 credit hours/semester) remain Hathaway-eligible, receiving a pro-rated award proportional to enrolled hours - full-time enrollment is not a strict requirement to retain some scholarship funding.
- UW superscores the ACT for scholarship consideration but explicitly does NOT superscore the SAT - a meaningful distinction for a family deciding which test to prioritize or retake.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UW
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Wyoming's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Wyoming (UW) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UW is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UW Without SAT or ACT?
UW neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of Wyoming Average SAT Score: 1140
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Wyoming is 1140 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1140 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of Wyoming allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1100, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UW. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1140 | 1100 | 1170 |
Below 1100, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Wyoming (UW) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of UW's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UW
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into UW is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Calculate the specific Hathaway Scholarship tier (Opportunity, Performance, Honors, or Provisional) using BOTH curriculum completion AND test/GPA combination - tiers are not GPA-only
Wyoming's signature Hathaway Scholarship has four distinct tiers determined by a COMBINATION of completed high school curriculum, standardized test score, and GPA together - not GPA alone. Critically, qualifying for Hathaway does NOT automatically qualify a student for UW admission; these are two entirely separate determinations a family must track in parallel. With the Wyoming Legislature having signed an increase to Hathaway funding into law in February 2026 (effective for incoming students AND current recipients starting Fall 2026), a Wyoming-resident family should confirm current-cycle award amounts directly with UW rather than relying on older published figures, since this is a genuinely recent legislative change.
Use the Provisional Opportunity pathway specifically for Wyoming community college transfers - it requires a 2.25+ associate's GPA and has its own distinct eligibility rules
A fourth Hathaway tier, "Provisional Opportunity," exists specifically for transfer students who held Opportunity-level Hathaway at a Wyoming community college and graduated with a 2.25 GPA or better in an associate's degree program - these students receive four additional semesters of Hathaway funding at UW, provided they haven't exceeded six years since initially starting Hathaway. A Wyoming student planning a community-college-to-UW pathway should specifically protect this 2.25 GPA floor at the community college level, since falling below it forfeits the Provisional continuation entirely, not just reduces award size.
Distinguish Hathaway (need/merit-based state scholarship) from UW's separate Trustee Scholars and Honors College processes - each has its own deadline and application
UW runs at least three genuinely distinct high-achievement pathways: Hathaway (state-funded, automatic upon admission review, no separate essay), the competitive Trustee Scholars Award (full tuition+fees, requiring a Dec. 1 application with finalist essays/interviews extending into January/February), and the Honors College (self-apply, short essay-based application, NOT automatically tied to either of the above). A high-achieving Wyoming resident should apply to all three independently and on their own timelines - assume none of them substitute for the others, and missing the Dec. 1 Trustee deadline forecloses that specific opportunity even if Hathaway and Honors remain open.
Confirm Hathaway disqualifiers explicitly - felony convictions and Selective Service non-compliance are absolute bars, not point deductions
Wyoming's Hathaway program explicitly disqualifies students convicted of a felony (with an appeals path through the Wyoming Department of Education) and students who haven't complied with Selective Service registration requirements where eligible - these aren't factors weighed against an otherwise strong application; they are stated as outright disqualifiers. Additionally, only US Citizens and Permanent Residents qualify, a hard citizenship-status bar with no Hathaway exception for other visa categories.
Expert Insight:
UW's overall acceptance rate (commonly cited as extremely high, ~96%) and "apply anytime, rolling admission" framing can cause families to deprioritize early action on Hathaway and merit scholarship deadlines - but UW's own admissions guidance explicitly urges applying "early in your senior year... to maximize scholarship opportunities," since scholarship review (unlike general admission) is tied to specific cycles and funding pools that can be exhausted. Rolling admission for ACCEPTANCE does not mean rolling timing for the most valuable Hathaway/Trustee scholarship consideration.
UW Profile
Full Name
University of Wyoming (UW)
City
Laramie
State
Wyoming
ZIP Code
82071
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a UW Degree Worth It?
UW offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $56,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.28%.
How much does a degree from UW Cost?
The sticker price is $22,371/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $11,779.
22.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 28.3% take federal loans at UW — file your FAFSA early and list UW as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UW Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,880 — about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wyoming. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Wyoming. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wyoming. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
Degree Programs at UW
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UW Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Wyoming run about $56,880 a year.
At about $22,371 a year, University of Wyoming is on the more affordable end.
University of Wyoming's Pell Grant rate of 22.2% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 97.4%, University of Wyoming's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Wyoming average a 3.53 GPA.
University of Wyoming doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.23 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.13, University of Wyoming becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Wyoming — aim above 1140, ideally within the 1100–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Wyoming is August 15 for Regular applicants.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.