Wyoming has 3 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials: the University of Wyoming, Casper College, and Central Wyoming College. The University of Wyoming offers a geography bachelor’s degree and a full set of geospatial programs, including an online master’s degree. The state has no graduate degree or Ph.D. in geography.
Wyoming Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geography | Campus (Laramie) | 120 (major about 35–37) | Course areas in human geography, physical geography, and GIS |
| University of Wyoming | B.S. in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) | Campus (Laramie) | 120 | Capstone plus six credits of internship or research |
| University of Wyoming | GIS Certificate (undergraduate) Remote Sensing Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Laramie) | 10 9 | Can be added to any major |
| University of Wyoming | Cadastral Surveying Certificate | 100% online | 30 minimum | Meets Wyoming’s surveying coursework requirement for licensure applicants |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming | Professional Master of Science (M.S.) in GIST | Online | 30 | Non-thesis degree with a capstone |
| University of Wyoming | Research M.S. in GIST | Campus (Laramie), with online course options | 32 minimum | Thesis and defense required |
| University of Wyoming | GIS Certificate (graduate) Remote Sensing Certificate (graduate) | Online | 15 each | Asynchronous courses |
| University of Wyoming | Uncrewed Aerial Systems Certificate (graduate) | Online, plus a 3-day workshop on campus | 11 | Prepares students for FAA drone pilot certification |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs. Minors are not listed.
Community College Degrees and Certificates
| College | Credential | Units | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper College | Associate of Science (A.S.) in Geographic Information Systems | 60 | Listed as 70% or more online |
| Casper College | GIS Certificate | 18 | In person, with some online options |
| Central Wyoming College | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Geospatial Information Science and Technology | 61 | Listed as 100% online; based at the Lander center |
| Central Wyoming College | GIST Certificate I and Certificate II | 31 / 16 | Lander and online |
| Central Wyoming College | A.A.S. in Environmental GIS, with Certificate I and Certificate II | 62 / 30 / 18 | Lander, field sites, and online |
The University of Wyoming publishes a transfer guide for its GIST bachelor’s degree that shows which community college courses count. It is a course guide, not a guaranteed two-plus-two agreement. Central Wyoming College offers the most matching GIST courses.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in Wyoming
An online course is not the same as an online degree. The programs below have an official statement that the full credential can be completed online. The next list covers programs that only offer some coursework online.
Verified fully online options
- University of Wyoming Professional M.S. in GIST: delivered online and asynchronously, typically over four semesters.
- University of Wyoming graduate certificates in GIS and Remote Sensing: 15 credits each, online and asynchronous.
- University of Wyoming Cadastral Surveying Certificate: a 30-credit undergraduate certificate offered 100% online. Its students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Central Wyoming College A.A.S. in GIST: the college lists the degree among its 100% online programs. The curriculum includes field-oriented courses in GPS data collection and wilderness navigation, so ask how those are delivered.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- University of Wyoming Uncrewed Aerial Systems Certificate: online except for a two-credit, three-day flight workshop on campus.
- University of Wyoming Research M.S. in GIST: delivered on campus, with some online courses.
- Casper College A.S. in GIS: listed as 70% or more online, not 100% online.
- Central Wyoming College GIST certificates: the college lists a GIS certificate as 100% online but does not say which one.
The University of Wyoming’s undergraduate geography and GIST degrees are taught in person. For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
Wyoming School Summaries
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming no longer has a separate geography department. The B.S. in Geography is run as a program within the Department of Geology and Geophysics. Students take a 9–11 credit core and 26 credits across four areas: human geography, physical geography, GIS, and transdisciplinary courses. The catalog lists no capstone or required internship.
The B.S. in Geospatial Information Science and Technology is offered by the School of Computing through the Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center. It has a 26-credit core that ends in a capstone, six credits of internship or undergraduate research, and 30 credits of GIST electives that include remote sensing and drone courses. Students also complete a minor, second major, or concentration in another field.
- Professional M.S. in GIST: 30 credits online, with a 21-credit core, a capstone, and no thesis.
- Research M.S. in GIST: at least 32 credits on campus, including at least four thesis credits and a defense. Applicants are told to contact a faculty advisor before applying.
- Graduate certificates: GIS (15 credits), Remote Sensing (15), and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (11).
- Undergraduate certificates: GIS (10 credits), Remote Sensing (9), and the online Cadastral Surveying Certificate (30).
- Admissions and funding: the university requires a 3.00 GPA for graduate admission. The GIST pages do not publish a GRE policy or a number of letters, and they do not advertise assistantships.
Sources: Geography B.S.; GIST B.S.; Professional M.S.; Research M.S.; graduate GIS certificate; Cadastral Surveying Certificate; GIST program FAQ; catalog.
Casper College
Casper College offers a 60-credit A.S. in Geographic Information Systems. The core is five courses: Introduction to GPS and Maps, Introduction to GIS, Management and Implementation of GIS, Advanced GIS, and Map Use and Analysis. Electives include remote sensing and drones, surveying, programming, and an optional cooperative work experience.
The 18-credit GIS Certificate covers the same five core courses and normally takes nine months.
Sources: program page; A.S. catalog; certificate catalog; online programs list.
Central Wyoming College
Central Wyoming College offers a 61-credit A.A.S. in Geospatial Information Science and Technology. Required courses include GNSS Field Data Collection, Geospatial Foundations, Techniques in Cartography, Introduction to GIS, and Advanced GIS. The program is based at the college’s Lander center. Electives include spatial analysis, remote sensing, web applications, programming, and a capstone project. Two shorter options are GIST Certificate I (31 credits) and Certificate II (16 credits).
A second program, the 62-credit A.A.S. in Environmental GIS, combines at least 12 geospatial credits with field science, expedition courses, and a required field work experience. It also has 30- and 18-credit certificates. The college says students in this program do best if they live in Lander.
Sources: GIST A.A.S.; GIST Certificate II; Environmental GIS A.A.S.; online programs list.
Schools not included
- University of Wyoming graduate geography: the 2026–27 catalog lists no M.A., M.S., or Ph.D. in geography, and no geography B.A.
- Sheridan College: its A.A.S. in Surveying Technology is a land surveying degree built on University of Wyoming surveying courses, with no GIS course in the current plan.
- Northwest College: offers a 9-credit drone technician skills certificate and archaeology programs, but no geography or GIS credential.
- Not in current catalogs: Western Wyoming Community College’s GIS certificate and Laramie County Community College’s geography program.
- No geography or GIS credential: Eastern Wyoming College, Gillette College, and Wyoming Catholic College.
Tuition Comparison
Estimated tuition is our arithmetic from each published rate and the stated basis. Each figure is labeled “per year” or “total.” None includes fees, housing, books, or other costs.
Undergraduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming B.S. in Geography or GIST | $2,805 per semester (resident, block rate) $11,235 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $5,610 resident per year $22,470 nonresident per year | $986.46 and $65 per semester, plus $10.25 per credit; $25 per credit on GIST courses and $20 per credit on geography courses |
| University of Wyoming GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | $187 per credit (resident) $749 per credit (nonresident) | 10 credits | $1,870 resident total $7,490 nonresident total | $25 per credit on GIST courses, plus campus fees |
| University of Wyoming (online) Cadastral Surveying Certificate | $435 per credit, any residency | 30 credits | $13,050 total | Online program fees of up to $59.25 per credit, plus $65 per semester |
| Casper College A.S. in GIS; GIS Certificate | $112 per credit (in-state) $168 (Western Undergraduate Exchange) $336 (out-of-state) | A.S. 60 credits; certificate 18 credits | A.S.: $6,720 in-state total; $10,080 exchange total; $20,160 out-of-state total Certificate: $2,016 in-state total; $3,024 exchange total; $6,048 out-of-state total | $42 per credit |
| Central Wyoming College GIST A.A.S.; Certificate II | $112 per credit (in-state) $168 (Western Undergraduate Exchange) $336 (out-of-state) | A.A.S. 61 credits; certificate 16 credits | A.A.S.: $6,832 in-state total; $10,248 exchange total; $20,496 out-of-state total Certificate: $1,792 in-state total; $2,688 exchange total; $5,376 out-of-state total | $59.50 per credit |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wyoming (online) Professional M.S. in GIST | $363 per credit (resident) $579 per credit (nonresident, online program) | 30 credits | $10,890 resident total $17,370 nonresident total | $25 per credit on GIST courses; online fees of $49 to $59.25 per credit, plus $65 per semester |
| University of Wyoming Research M.S. in GIST | $363 per credit (resident) $1,067 per credit (nonresident) | 32 credits | $11,616 resident total $34,144 nonresident total | $25 per credit on GIST courses; about $948 and $65 per semester |
| University of Wyoming (online) Graduate certificates | $363 per credit (resident) $579 per credit (nonresident, online program) | 15 credits (GIS or Remote Sensing); 11 credits (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) | 15 credits: $5,445 resident total; $8,685 nonresident total 11 credits: $3,993 resident total; $6,369 nonresident total | $25 per credit on GIST courses; online fees of $49 to $59.25 per credit, plus $65 per semester |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- Wyoming’s community colleges share one tuition rate set by the state commission, $112 per credit for residents in 2026–27, but each college sets its own fees.
- The University of Wyoming charges full-time students a block rate per semester, so the per-credit rate applies mainly to part-time and certificate students.
- Nonresidents in University of Wyoming online programs pay a lower rate than nonresidents on campus.
- Every GIST course carries a $25 per credit technology fee, on campus or online.
- Students from other western states may qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange rate at community colleges.
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in Wyoming
Broad geography or technical GIS
The University of Wyoming’s Geography B.S. is the state’s only geography degree and covers human and physical geography alongside GIS. Its GIST B.S. and the two community college programs are technical degrees centered on GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and field data collection. Read more about GIScience degrees and geospatial technology.
Certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree
Certificates start at 9–10 credits at the University of Wyoming and 16–18 credits at the community colleges. The associate degrees at Casper and Central Wyoming take about two years. For graduate study, the choice is between the university’s professional and research M.S. degrees in GIST. Compare bachelor’s and master’s programs nationally.
Online or campus
Graduate students can study fully online through the Professional M.S. or the GIS and Remote Sensing certificates. At the undergraduate level, Central Wyoming College lists its GIST A.A.S. as fully online, while the university’s bachelor’s degrees are taught in Laramie.
Research or professional master’s
The Research M.S. requires a thesis and a faculty advisor, and it is the better fit for students interested in research. The Professional M.S. replaces the thesis with a capstone and is designed for working students. Students considering a Ph.D. should check research preparation and admissions requirements. A thesis can help demonstrate research experience. No Wyoming school offers a Ph.D. in geography or geospatial science.
Funding
The University of Wyoming’s GIST pages do not advertise assistantships. They note that professional students may receive support from employers. The university says many of its graduate programs offer assistantships, so research M.S. applicants should ask a prospective advisor about funding.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in Colorado, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota, or browse all state guides.
Sources and Review Date
Reviewed October 2, 2026. Program details come from each school’s 2026–27 catalog or program pages. Tuition comes from each school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule.
- University of Wyoming: tuition and fees, student fee book, GIST transfer guide
- Casper College: tuition and fees
- Central Wyoming College: tuition, cost of attendance
- Wyoming Community College Commission: tuition rate announcement
Program-level source links appear at the end of each school summary. Programs, rates, and requirements change, so confirm them with each school before applying.