Wyoming Trade Schools

Your Guide to Career-Focused Education in the Cowboy State

Wyoming’s trade schools offer excellent opportunities for hands-on career training in a state known for its strong work ethic and practical approach to education. With eight community colleges and specialized institutions, Wyoming provides accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers across various industries.

Table of Contents

• Best Schools by Specialty
  • Healthcare Programs
  • Business and Administrative Programs
  • Skilled Trades Excellence
  • Technology and IT Programs
• Cost Analysis and Program Information
  • Average Costs by Residency
  • Most Affordable Options
  • Most Expensive Programs
  • Shortest Programs
  • Average Program Duration
  • Most Popular Programs
• Quick Entry Programs for Immediate Career Launch
• List of Best Trade Schools in Wyoming
• Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults
• Financial Support and Accessibility
• The State of Trade Education in Wyoming: A Growing Movement
• Generation Z Drives Trade School Boom
• Addressing Critical Worker Shortages
• Economic Appeal and Career Advantages

Best Schools by Specialty

Healthcare Programs

Casper College leads healthcare education in Wyoming with comprehensive programs including Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Pharmacy Technology. As Wyoming’s first junior college with over 4,600 students, it offers extensive healthcare training on a beautiful 200-acre campus.

Laramie County Community College excels in specialized healthcare fields, offering Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Surgical Technology programs. Serving around 6,000 students annually, LCCC provides solid preparation with real-world experience through externships.

Central Wyoming College offers a strong Health Sciences program along with CNA, EKG, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy training across multiple locations including Riverton, Jackson, and Lander.

Business and Administrative Programs

Casper College provides over 140 degree and certificate programs, including comprehensive business training in Accounting, Business Administration, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Eastern Wyoming College offers solid business foundations with programs in Accounting, Business Administration, and Entrepreneurship, serving nearly 1,937 students in credit courses annually.

Skilled Trades Excellence

WyoTech stands as Wyoming’s premier automotive and diesel training institution. Founded in 1966, this Laramie-based school focuses exclusively on hands-on automotive technology, collision repair, and diesel technology, with over 50% of student time spent in on-site shops.

Western Welding Academy offers the state’s most specialized welding training. Opened in 2019 in Gillette, this unique academy is owned and taught by actual pipeline and pipe welders, offering five progressive welding courses from basic SMAW to professional pipe welder certification.

Casper College provides extensive skilled trades training including Welding, Automotive Technology, Construction, CNC Machining, Diesel Technology, and Electrical Apprenticeship programs.

Gillette College specializes in industrial trades with programs in Welding, Industrial Electricity, Diesel Technology, and CNC Machining, offering flexible scheduling options.

Technology and IT Programs

Casper College leads technology education with programs in Computer Science and Cybersecurity, supported by modern facilities across 28 buildings.

Laramie County Community College offers comprehensive Information Technology training including Cybersecurity, Networking, and general IT support programs.

Gillette College provides Computer Science, Cybersecurity, IT Support, and Networking programs designed for today’s digital economy.

Cost Analysis and Program Information

Average Costs by Residency

• Wyoming Residents: $4,410 – $4,830 annually (community colleges)
• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): $6,000 – $6,420 annually
• Out-of-State Students: $10,710 – $11,130 annually
• Specialized Programs: $4,800 – $31,750 (Western Welding Academy and WyoTech)

Most Affordable Options

Western Welding Academy offers the most budget-friendly entry point with their Welder I program starting at just $4,800. Wyoming’s community college system also provides exceptional value, with in-state tuition as low as $105 per credit hour at Eastern Wyoming College.

Most Expensive Programs

WyoTech represents the premium end at $31,750 for 9-month automotive and diesel programs, but offers specialized training with direct industry connections and over 50% hands-on shop time.

Shortest Programs

• Western Welding Academy: Individual welding courses (duration varies)
• Community College Certificates: 1-2 year programs
• WyoTech: 9-month intensive automotive/diesel programs

Average Program Duration

• Certificate programs: 6 months – 2 years
• Associate degrees: 2 years
• Specialized intensive training: 9 months – 2 years

Most Popular Programs

1. Nursing and Healthcare
2. Welding Technology
3. Automotive Technology
4. Business Administration
5. Diesel Technology
6. Computer Science/IT
7. Electrical Technology
8. CNC Machining

Quick Entry Programs for Immediate Career Launch

Wyoming’s trade schools recognize the need for rapid career entry. Western Welding Academy offers the fastest path to employment with specialized welding courses that can be completed individually, allowing students to start earning immediately upon certification.

WyoTech provides intensive 9-month programs designed to get students job-ready quickly in the automotive and diesel industries. With over 50% hands-on training time and regular career fairs featuring employers like Ford, Volvo, Tesla, and the U.S. Air Force, students often secure employment before graduation.

Eastern Wyoming College offers accelerated certificate programs in high-demand fields like CNA and Medication Assistant, providing quick entry into the healthcare sector.

The state’s community colleges also offer numerous one-year certificate programs across various fields, allowing for rapid career transitions without the time commitment of a full degree program.

List of Best Trade Schools in Wyoming

Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults

Wyoming’s educational institutions understand the needs of working adults and offer remarkable flexibility:

Casper College provides fully online degrees and hybrid programs that are over 70% online with minimal in-person requirements, making education accessible for working professionals across the state.

Laramie County Community College leads in flexible learning with multiple options including online courses with set schedules, self-paced learning, face-to-face classes, hybrid formats, and innovative HiFlex courses that allow students to switch between online and in-person attendance as needed.

Central Wyoming College offers morning, afternoon, and evening class options along with both online and on-site courses. With locations in Riverton, Jackson, Dubois, and Lander, they provide geographic flexibility across central Wyoming.

Gillette College accommodates working schedules with morning, afternoon, and evening classes available both on campus and online. The school provides personalized assistance to help students create schedules that work with their existing commitments.

Eastern Wyoming College offers extensive distance learning through internet-based courses using both real-time and self-paced methods, perfect for students who need maximum scheduling flexibility.

Financial Support and Accessibility

All Wyoming community colleges participate in federal financial aid programs, with many students qualifying for grants and loans. The state’s Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program provides reduced tuition rates for students from participating western states.

WyoTech offers Federal Pell Grants and provides entrance counseling to help students understand the loan process and expense management. The school also provides free work shirts and tools needed for coursework.

Most institutions maintain 100% acceptance rates with open admission policies, making quality career education accessible to all qualified applicants. Veterans receive strong support across all institutions, with most schools accepting various military benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill programs.

Wyoming’s trade schools combine affordability, accessibility, and quality training to provide clear pathways to stable careers in the state’s key industries, from energy and agriculture to healthcare and technology.

The State of Trade Education in Wyoming: A Growing Movement

Generation Z Drives Trade School Boom

Wyoming is experiencing a significant surge in trade school enrollment, driven primarily by Generation Z students who are choosing vocational training over traditional four-year universities.

According to Cowboy State Daily, this generation has earned the nickname “The Toolbelt Generation” due to their preference for hands-on learning and practical skills training. WyoTech in Laramie exemplifies this trend, with 96% of its student body ranging from 17 to 23 years old.

Nationwide, vocationally focused community colleges have seen remarkable growth, with enrollments rising 16% in 2023 and another 13.6% in 2024. Students like Wes Bihn from Indiana are drawn to trade schools because, as he explains, “You’re up on your feet doing stuff, using your hands when you’re learning,” which appeals to those who prefer practical application over traditional classroom instruction.

Addressing Critical Worker Shortages

The surge in trade school interest comes at a crucial time, as Wyoming and the nation face significant skilled worker shortages. Local News 8 reports that the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of around 400,000 welders, with the average blue-collar worker being between 45 and 56 years old.

“We’ve got to get these kids inspired,” said Quacy Wilson, director of student selection at Western Welding Academy. “We got to show them that there’s another way to make money and make a living, and that we need it–if we want to continue to live the way we do, we got to have blue collar people.”

This shortage creates exceptional job opportunities for graduates, with many students receiving multiple job offers before completing their programs.

Economic Appeal and Career Advantages

The financial benefits of trade education are compelling for Wyoming students. Your Wyoming Link notes that trade schools cost an estimated average of $3,863 to $15,636 per year compared to $39,200 for a four-year degree.

ZipRecruiter lists the average annual salary for skilled trades as $52,487 in Wyoming, with many graduates receiving offers well above these averages.

Students appreciate the quick turnaround time – programs can be completed in as little as six months to two years – allowing them to enter the workforce rapidly.

As welding student Justin Anderson explains, “This was the best option for me as far as financially, it’s going to be cheaper and the instructors are just top notch.” The career security is also attractive, with guaranteed demand across the country: “There’s there is a guaranteed there’s a need for welders all across the country. So, if you want to stay local, you can find something. And if you want to go travel, you can also do that.”