Economic Impact

Casper College: Driving Economic Growth and Empowering Futures

At the heart of Natrona County, Casper College stands as a cornerstone of education, innovation, and economic development. For over 75 years, the college has been transforming lives, creating opportunities, and strengthening the community and state. Economic impact describes the positive contributions that Casper College, including its employees, students and alumni, have on local and regional economies. 

Economic Impact on the Community

Casper College is more than an educational institution — it’s a powerful economic engine. Every dollar invested in the college delivers a measurable return to Natrona County and Wyoming as a whole.

• • Job Creation: The college directly employs over 400 faculty and staff, and its operations support hundreds of additional jobs in the community through local spending.
  • Economic Stimulus: Students and employees contribute millions of dollars to the local economy through housing, dining, transportation, and other expenditures.
  • Workforce Development: By training a skilled workforce, Casper College meets the needs of local industries, from healthcare and technology to energy and trades. Graduates tend to stay in the area, filling critical roles and boosting productivity.

Educational Excellence for All

Casper College opens doors to higher education for students from all walks of life, helping them achieve their potential while keeping tuition affordable and competitive.

• • Affordable Access: The college provides quality education at a fraction of the cost of four-year universities, making it accessible to students and families throughout the region.
  • Career-Ready Graduates: Casper College graduates enter the workforce or continue their education, ensuring students see immediate benefits from their degrees or certificates.
  • Scholarships and Support: Robust financial aid programs, including scholarships funded by the Casper College Foundation, allow students to lessen their financial burden and focus on their studies.

Partnering With Industry for a Stronger Wyoming

Casper College aligns its programs with the needs of Wyoming’s economy, ensuring industries have access to a pipeline of skilled professionals.

• • Skilled Graduate Pipeline: Academic programs are continually assessed to ensure they meet current labor demands and address future opportunities.
  • Career and Technical Education, or CTE, programs: equip students with the career-ready knowledge and practical skills needed for high-demand careers across various industries.
  • Workforce Development: offers programs designed to meet Wyoming’s evolving economic needs, providing specialized training and certifications that support the state’s workforce growth.
  • Business Collaboration: Partnerships with local employers provide internships, apprenticeships, and job placements that give students real-world experience and a competitive edge.
  • Business and Industry Leadership: Business and industry programs gain from the insights, advice, and leadership of business leaders in the region, which helps ensure programs are aligned with their evolving needs.

A Legacy of Community Engagement

Casper College is woven into the fabric of Natrona County, offering cultural enrichment, lifelong learning opportunities, and public resources.

• • Cultural Events: The college hosts speakers, events, art exhibitions, theater productions, and concerts that bring the community together.
  • Public Services: Casper College serves as a resource for the entire region.
    • Community Education programs offer training and educational courses that enhance skills, support career growth, and foster lifelong learning.
    • BOCES dual and concurrent courses allow high school students to jumpstart their college education and earn college credit that they can apply toward a degree.
    • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, OLLI at Casper College, supports intellectual curiosity and community enrichment for adults 50+.
    • The Lee and Felicia Castellow Adult Learning Center provides free assistance to out-of-school adult students who need to improve their basic reading, writing, and math skills in preparation for their high school equivalency certificate.
  • Youth Enrichment Programs:
    • John Wold Help Yourself Academy enriches learning for third, fourth and fifth graders interested in science and math.
    • GEAR UP serves students from seventh grade to college freshmen, in preparation for college.
    • Knowledge Enrichment for Youth, KEY, serves young people who are intellectually curious and excited to learn during the summer.
  • Library and Museums:
    • Goodstein Foundation Library has more than 70,000 print volumes. It offers digital access to over 200 databases, 680,000 ebooks, and 100,000 journals.
    • Western History Center has published digital materials for over 180 collections and almost 7,000 items. The Western History Center also has more than 400 collections.
    • The Werner Wildlife Museum connects the community with Wyoming’s rich natural heritage.
    • The Tate Geological Museum, a regional earth science education center, offers educational exhibits and programs for all ages. The museums serve as important community and educational resources.

Volunteerism and Service

Casper College employees give back to the community through their contribution of thousands of hours to local initiatives and service learning projects.