OpenFieldCentral Wyoming College
Explore alpine geology research, outdoor education bachelor's, Wind River nursing degrees, and Wyoming Hathaway scholarships at Central Wyoming College.
Institutional Overview
Central Wyoming College (CWC) is a comprehensive public community and baccalaureate college serving the Wind River Basin and surrounding mountain communities in Wyoming. Operating its main campus in Riverton alongside centers in Jackson, Lander, and Dubois, CWC is celebrated for its Alpine Science Institute, nursing division, equine studies, broadcast media arts, and tribal community partnerships on the Wind River Reservation.
- Type
- Public Community & Baccalaureate College
- Campus
- Main Campus (Riverton), Jackson Center & Alpine Science Institute (Sinks Canyon), Wyoming
- Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Admissions
- Open door admissions policy; high school diploma or HiSET/GED certificate
- Language
- English (placement assessment upon arrival)
- Aid
- Wyoming Hathaway Scholarships, Federal Pell Grants & CWC Foundation Awards
Academic Strengths & Distinctive Focus
- World-renowned Alpine Science Institute (ASI) located in Sinks Canyon State Park specializing in glacial research
- Pioneering Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees in Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Agricultural Business
- Over 95% pass rate on NCLEX-RN among nursing graduates serving rural Wyoming hospital clinics
- Historic educational collaboration and cultural integration with Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho nations
Featured Academic Degrees & Curricula
Bachelor of Applied Science in Outdoor Education and Leadership
Four-year degree preparing mountain guides, wilderness instructors, and public lands resource managers.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN / RN)
Intensive clinical nursing program training registered nurses for regional emergency rooms, clinics, and flight rescue.
Associate of Science in Alpine Expedition Science
Field-based earth science curriculum examining glaciology, alpine hydrology, avalanche terrain, and GPS mapping.
Current Verified Opportunities & Fellowships (7)
Wyoming Hathaway Merit Scholarship at CWC
State-funded merit scholarship providing up to $3,360 per academic year for eligible Wyoming high school graduates attending CWC.
BAS in Outdoor Education and Leadership Enrolment
Four-year bachelor's degree featuring extensive backcountry expeditions, Leave No Trace certification, and wilderness medicine.
Wind River Glacial Melt Hydrology Research Practicum
Ten-week summer scientific expedition measuring glacial retreat and snowpack chemistry across the Wind River Mountain Range.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Enrolment
Two-year selective nursing program preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN registered nurse examination in Riverton and Jackson.
CWC Foundation Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Award
Dedicated institutional scholarship supporting enrolled tribal citizens of the Wind River Reservation pursuing undergraduate degrees at CWC.
Wyoming Public Media & TV Broadcast Practicum
Paid student production assistantship at Wyoming PBS studios on the Riverton campus operating HD studio cameras and digital editing suites.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Tuition Waiver
Regional tuition savings program offering residents of 15 western states tuition capped at 150% of the in-state rate.
Prominent Faculty & Research Supervisors (3)
Dr. Bradley Tyndall
President & International EconomistOffice of the President & Department of Economics
Visionary college president and agricultural economist who spearheaded CWC's new agricultural center and expanded dual-enrollment access across rural Wyoming.
Prof. Darran Wells
Professor of Outdoor Education & Alpine Science Institute DirectorAlpine Science Institute
Lead glaciological researcher at Sinks Canyon, pioneering high-altitude snowpack sampling protocols and mentoring future mountaineering professionals.
Dr. Kathy Wells
Director of Nursing & Professor of Health SciencesDivision of Health Sciences and Nursing
Nursing leader guiding statewide simulation modernization and rural clinical residency expansions for critical-access hospitals in the Rocky Mountains.
Information published on this guide is verified directly from official institutional documentation as of 2026-10-15. Academic criteria, tuition fees, and admission requirements are subject to institutional revisions. Prospective students should consult the official website (https://www.cwc.edu) for current registry filings.