The economy of Wyoming differs significantly from the other states. Major industries in the state include mineral extraction, travel and tourism, and agriculture. Unlike other states, Wyoming does not have an individual or corporate tax, and it has really low property taxes. According to Wyoming's government site, the households in Wyoming have one of the lowest tax burdens in the country. The unemployment rate in Wyoming for 2013 was 4.7 percent, which was much lower than the national average of 7.5 percent. In addition, the per capita personal income for Wyoming in 2012 was $50,567, which is the eighth highest in the country.
Wyoming Schools
Schools in Wyoming offer students a sufficient choice in terms of degree levels and types of degree programs. Students are able to meet their diverse educational requirements and career aspirations. Common degree levels in Wyoming include diplomas or professional certifications, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. Also, students may choose to enroll in online programs in a variety of fields. Hybrid programs are also available in the state for students who would like to complete their education through online degree programs, but may be required to complete hands on training. Some of the majors in which degrees are offered in schools in Wyoming include accounting, business management, education, computer science, finance, homeland security, management, and marketing. Degrees are also offered in fields such as information technology, nursing, and surgical technology.
School Considerations
It is important for students to keep certain factors in mind before selecting a school in which to enroll. One of the major factors to consider is the accreditation of the program, and this is important because it may have an impact on the quality of education and career prospects. Students need to carry out some research to confirm the accreditation of the school and program in which they are interested. Other important factors include curriculum, cost, location, qualifications of faculty, and financial aid availability. It is good to look at feedback from current students and alumni to understand the culture of the institute and detailed information on a particular degree.
Online Education
Online education may be very useful in Wyoming because of the rural nature, so students may not need to travel long distances to attend classes. Online programs offer a variety of accredited programs in diverse fields. The structure of online programs allows students to learn at their own pace and have a study schedule of their own. Besides, online programs are cost effective because students are not required to pay for textbooks, costs related to travel, and dorm room accommodation. The tuition fees for online programs may also be relatively less than campus based programs, and this is due to the inherent cost-efficiency of online education.
Careers
Wyoming's job market is performing a lot better than most states. However, there are certain industries with better promise than others. According to the state's quarterly report in March 2010, the fastest growing industries include government services, education and healthcare, trade, transportation, utilities, and finance. Students could improve their career outlook by looking for accredited programs that may help them enter these fast growing industries.