Finance Programs and Careers in Wyoming
The following page provides details about finance degrees in Wyoming. Students interested in degrees in finance can find degree options such as a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Science (MS) in Finance. Graduates can seek professional certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Prospective students can choose from programs that offer full-time or part-time course schedules in on-campus or online formats. However, due to its low population, Wyoming has limited finance programs compared to other states. If you live in the state, you may consider researching finance programs in the neighboring states of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, or Idaho. Below you will find information on education and employment opportunities in finance for Wyoming.
Quick Facts
- There is 1 university with finance degree programs in Wyoming.1
- 1 school offers a certificate in finance.1
- No schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.1
- 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree in finance.1
- 1 school offers a master’s or advanced degree in finance.1
- No schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.2
- No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.3
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.4
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Finance Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Wyoming
- Select Schools in Wyoming with Finance Degrees
- Wyoming Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
- Finance Associations in Wyoming
Wyoming Finance Program Comparison
We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Wyoming from not-for-profit schools that offer programs with a concentration in finance. In addition to allowing you to compare the business school’s accreditation, finance degrees that appear in bold are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programs, those that have been recognized for curricula aligned to preparing for the CFA Exam.
| School | Accreditation | Finance Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming | AACSB | BS-Business: Finance; Minor-Banking and Financial Services; Minor-Finance; Graduate Certificate-Certified Financial Planner (CFP); MBA-Finance; MS-Finance | 94.1% | 60% | Yes | $11,250 | $12,880 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Wyoming
Georgetown CEW’s ROI Ranking by Long-Term Net Present Value 2019
The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has compared 4,500 colleges and universities on graduates’ return on investment (ROI). We use their net present value (NPV) ranking, which is the current dollar value of earning a four-year degree from the school over a 40-year horizon.
- University of Wyoming (#533; $1,010,000)7
Select Schools in Wyoming with Finance Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming (UW) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) with a Finance major that emphasizes the economic, technical, and administrative aspects of finance. Students in the full-time, four-year program have the option of specializing in Bank Management, Corporation Finance, or Investment Management. The curriculum is split between the Finance major and College of Business Common Body of Knowledge courses. Graduation from the BSB in Finance requires 120 credit hours, a minimum GPA of 2.5 with a “C” or better in all major and Common Body of Knowledge classes, and a passing score on the Senior Exit Exam. Required courses include Bank Management, Risk Management, and Financial Markets. Enrollment in the BSB in FInance requires a high school diploma and an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or above, completion of the required high school curriculum, and an ACT score of 21 or an SAT score of 1060. The College of Business also offers minors in Finance and Banking and Financial Services.
Traditional Master’s Programs
University of Wyoming
The College of Business at the University of Wyoming hosts a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance track that can help students prepare for careers as well-versed financial professionals. Students in the full-time program will take 59 credit hours: 38 credit hours of core MBA courses, followed by 21 credits of Finance track courses, including Energy Finance: Project Evaluation; Corporate Finance and Governance; and International Business. The MBA Finance curriculum is delivered through a cohort format over two academic years. Before the first semester of the program, students will complete an evaluation of proficiency that may result in a short foundational course requirement. Applicants to the MBA program must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher and either a GMAT score of 550 or higher or a 300 or higher GRE score.
Online and Hybrid Programs
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming confers a Master of Science (MS) in Finance degree that can help students develop skills in the fundamentals of modern finance and the finance techniques necessary to value complex financial securities. The program can be completed entirely online or in-person in as little as one year. Students can complete the 30-credit hour curriculum along a general track, taking only two required courses; or a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) track, which will help students qualify for professional CFP certification. All students will take Investment Management and Financial Modeling courses, while CFP track students must also take courses such as Estate Planning and a CFP capstone. Applicants to the MS in FInance must have an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GPA requirement may be waived with sufficient work experience or a satisfactory score on the GMAT or GRE. There are no specific prerequisite courses for the program, but students without prior business coursework must demonstrate proficiency in financial management and business math and statistics.
Wyoming Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
Wyoming has particular employment opportunities in energy, agriculture, and tourism. The cities of Cheyenne, Jackson, Casper, and Laramie are the densest population centers in the state. Financial professionals may find employment with Wyoming-based finance companies like Omega Probe Inc. Large energy companies, such as Cloud Peak Energy and Halliburton Energy Services, may offer positions in finance or accounting. Other employers, such as regional healthcare organizations like the Wyoming Medical Center or the federal and state government, may offer financial jobs. Finance graduates may also find work in the state’s not-for-profit sector with organizations such as the American Red Cross of Wyoming or Align.
Among finance professionals in Wyoming, financial managers see the highest average salary levels at an average annual salary of $118,900.8 The highest employment levels are found among loan officers, with 810 working in the state.8 Personal financial advisors earn an average of $116,560 annually in Wyoming, comparable to the national average of $119,290.8,9 Western Wyoming has the highest concentration of personal financial advisors for a nonmetropolitan area in the country, at 1.5 of every thousand jobs.9 Personal financial advisor positions are projected to grow 17.1% in Wyoming through 2028.10 Financial specialist positions are projected to grow by 12.5% through 2028, twice the rate of expected national growth of 6.2%.10
Wyoming Finance Salary Information
| Occupation | Number Employed8 | Average Salary8 |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,170 | $70,070 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists | 180 | $88,590 |
| Financial Examiners | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Financial Managers | 710 | $118,900 |
| Loan Officers | 810 | $70,160 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 320 | $116,560 |
Finance Associations in Wyoming
- Wyoming Society of Certified Public Accountants (WYOCPA): Professional association of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in the state. Members of WYOCPA can take advantage of continued education events, networking opportunities, and industry news and updates.
- Healthcare Financial Management Association Wyoming Chapter (HFMAWY): State chapter of the national organization for those in healthcare financial administration. HFMAWY hosts educational activities, promotes networking among members, and publishes industry newsletters.
- Wyoming Bankers Association (WBA): Trade association for those in the state’s banking industry. WBA organizes legislative advocacy, publishes relevant industry resources and news, and offers continued education opportunities for members.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
6. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Wyoming: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wy.htm
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
10. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm