Best Associate's in Elementary Education Programs in Wyoming
All 7 Elementary Education associate's-level programs in Wyoming, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
An associate's in elementary education is a two-year transfer degree and the first step toward a bachelor's and an eventual Wyoming teaching license, and Wyoming has 7 accredited elementary education associate's programs to compare. This ranking scores every one on the outcomes that actually affect your return: graduation rate, in-state affordability, and selectivity, all pulled from the public federal IPEDS database. Eastern Wyoming College ranks first with a score of 55, on a 52 percent graduation rate.
Teaching assistants in Wyoming earn a median of $36,100 a year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, against a national median of $36,780. Each section below covers a specific decision point, cost and real ROI, Wyoming licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Wyoming on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Eastern Wyoming College
55score- 52%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 1,457Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- Education - Elementary, AA
- Online
About the programEastern Wyoming College offers an Associate of Arts in Education, Elementary, designed as a transfer program that completes the first two years of study before students continue to the university of their choice to finish a bachelor's degree and pursue teacher licensure. The associate degree itself does not confer a teaching license. Working with Goshen County School District, the college places education majors in K-12 classrooms early to observe and assist, and students may work as paid substitute teachers. Coursework is available online or in person. Background checks are required for coursework involving student contact. Among Wyoming's 7 ranked associate's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 52%. This associate-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as teaching assistants in Wyoming.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 52% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of Wyoming programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 2
Northwest College
46score- 49%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 1,486Undergrads
- 8Grads/yr
- Elementary Education, A.A.
- On-campus
About the programNorthwest College offers the Elementary Education, A.A., a 60 hour Associate of Arts delivered on campus in Powell, Wyoming. This is a transfer pathway rather than a teaching license. Graduates have two options after completing the degree: they can transfer into a four-year elementary education program to continue toward licensure, or apply for a substitute teaching certificate in Wyoming to begin working in public schools. As an associate degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as teaching assistants in Wyoming.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 49% of students graduate, top 17% among Wyoming programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 3
Casper College
37score- 43%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 3,403Undergrads
- 18Grads/yr
- Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programCasper College's Elementary Education program provides the first two years of a bachelor's degree program that leads to certification of elementary public school teachers, functioning as a transfer pathway rather than conferring a license at Casper College. Students who follow the recommended curriculum earn an associate degree and are prepared to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's and pursue Wyoming licensure. A transfer agreement supports the pathway. Education students complete background checks and fingerprinting for coursework involving student contact. A associate-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among teaching assistants in Wyoming.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 43% graduation rate lands it in the top 33% of Wyoming programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 4
Northern Wyoming Community College District
28score- 42%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 3,534Undergrads
- 13Grads/yr
- Associate of Science in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programSheridan College's Associate of Science in Elementary Education is a two-year transfer pathway, the first half of a 2+2 plan toward a bachelor's degree and eventual teacher licensure at partner universities such as Chadron State College, Montana State University, and Valley City State University. The program aligns coursework with InTASC standards and immerses students in local schools, childcare centers, and the campus Lab School. It does not by itself grant a teaching license; the college encourages students to complete a four-year degree to become licensed teachers. Delivered on campus in Sheridan. Graduates of this elementary education program at the associate level often go on to work as teaching assistants.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Wyoming programs at 42%, solid without being a standout. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 5
Laramie County Community College
18score- 38%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 4,193Undergrads
- 19Grads/yr
- Associate Degree
- On-campus
About the programLaramie County Community College offers an Associate Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education within its Human and Public Services pathway, with a focus on early childhood settings. Students gain classroom observations and practicum experience in schools. The degree does not lead to teacher licensure; graduates transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree before applying for licensure. The program is coordinated by Dr. Danielle Ryan. Instruction is delivered on campus. It awards more associate's-level elementary education degrees than any of Wyoming's 7 ranked associate's-level programs, 19 in the most recent year. Graduates of this elementary education program at the associate level often go on to work as teaching assistants.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Wyoming programs at 38%, solid without being a standout. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 6
Central Wyoming College
9score- 37%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 2,205Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- Elementary Education, Associate of Arts
- On-campus
About the programCentral Wyoming College offers an Elementary Education Associate of Arts through its Media, Arts & Humanities department. The 62-credit-hour, on-campus degree includes field experiences in the K-5 setting. It is a transfer pathway designed for students to continue to the University of Wyoming to complete a bachelor's degree and teacher licensure, so the AA does not itself grant licensure. A substitute teaching permit is recommended for students while in the program. A associate-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among teaching assistants in Wyoming.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 37% the graduation rate trails the Wyoming median, which caps how high it can climb. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 7
Western Wyoming Community College
0score- 33%Grad rate
- $3,150/yrIn-state tuition
- $9,450/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 2,653Undergrads
- 18Grads/yr
- Elementary & Early Childhood Education
- Hybrid
About the programWestern Wyoming Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, a transfer pathway designed to move students into four-year bachelor's programs that lead to teaching licensure. The associate degree is not itself a teaching license. Students choose between two tracks, early childhood education from birth to about third grade, and elementary education from kindergarten through sixth grade. Required coursework is available on campus and online. As an associate degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as teaching assistants in Wyoming.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 33% the graduation rate trails the Wyoming median, which caps how high it can climb. Tuition is middle of the road for Wyoming programs at $3,150 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
Key facts about a associate's in Elementary Education in Wyoming
- Wyoming has 7 accredited associate's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Eastern Wyoming College ranks first among elementary education associate's programs in Wyoming with a score of 55, on a 52 percent graduation rate.
- Eastern Wyoming College is the most affordable associate's in elementary education in Wyoming, at $3,150 a year in-state tuition.
- Teaching assistants in Wyoming earn a median of $36,100 a year (BLS), ranking Wyoming 24 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 2 of the associate's in elementary education programs in Wyoming offer an online or hybrid option.
- Wyoming requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, to earn a teaching license.
What a associate's in elementary education costs in Wyoming (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a associate's in elementary education in Wyoming runs from $3,150 to $3,150 a year across the 7 programs we rank, with a median of $3,150. The most affordable is Eastern Wyoming College at $3,150 a year. These are published sticker rates from IPEDS; most future teachers bring the net figure down with the Pell Grant, the federal TEACH Grant, and state teacher-preparation aid, so weigh net price, not the sticker.
Cost only means something next to completion. The elementary education programs ranked here average a 42 percent graduation rate, and a lower-priced program where fewer students finish is not necessarily the cheaper path to a degree. Compare tuition and graduation rate together above.
Sources: IPEDS tuition data
What teaching assistants earn in Wyoming
Teaching assistants in Wyoming earn a median of $36,100 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $36,780. That ranks Wyoming 24 of 51 states and territories for teaching assistants pay. Nationally, pay for this occupation spans roughly $27,150 at the 10th percentile to $50,040 at the 90th, with a master's degree, years in the classroom, and the local district salary schedule driving the climb.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 1 percent decline in teaching assistants employment nationally from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,400 openings a year as teachers retire or change careers. A associate's in elementary education in Wyoming is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Wyoming teaching license
An associate's in elementary education does not by itself qualify you for a Wyoming teaching license. It is a two-year foundation that transfers into a bachelor's, which, with a supervised student-teaching placement and Praxis (The Praxis Series), leads to the Standard Educator License issued by Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board. Associate's graduates also qualify for teaching-assistant and paraprofessional roles in Wyoming schools while they finish the bachelor's.
Praxis is required only for certain areas such as elementary education and social studies, not universally. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Wyoming educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Wyoming
Pick a associate's in elementary education in Wyoming that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Wyoming Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Wyoming teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Wyoming.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Wyoming
2 of the associate's in elementary education programs in Wyoming offer an online or hybrid option. Online teacher-preparation still requires in-person student teaching, so these formats suit working adults and career changers who can complete supervised classroom hours locally while taking coursework online. An online associate's in elementary education from a state-approved, CAEP-accredited program leads to the same Wyoming teaching license as an on-campus degree; the diploma does not distinguish the format.
Frequently asked questions about a associate's in Elementary Education in Wyoming
How many associate's in elementary education programs are in Wyoming?
There are 7 accredited associate's in elementary education programs in Wyoming in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable associate's in elementary education in Wyoming?
Eastern Wyoming College is the most affordable associate's in elementary education in Wyoming, at $3,150 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do teaching assistants make in Wyoming?
Teaching assistants in Wyoming earn a median of $36,100 a year, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes259045.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics</a>, versus $36,780 nationally.
What exam do you need to teach in Wyoming?
Wyoming requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board. See the <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a associate's in elementary education worth it in Wyoming?
For most future teachers, yes. A associate's in elementary education in Wyoming is the standard credential for a Wyoming teaching license, and it leads to a median teaching assistants salary of $36,100 a year in Wyoming. Compare graduation rate and net price above to find the best value in 2026.
These are the best associate's in elementary education programs in Wyoming for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 7 associate's in elementary education in Wyoming above by graduation rate, tuition, and selectivity, then open each program page to take the next step toward transferring into a bachelor's and a classroom career in Wyoming.