As the only institution providing undergraduate and graduate education in the state, the University of Wyoming has played a vital role since it first opened its doors in 1887. At the time of its founding, this Wyoming college consisted of only one building, and just five professors were needed for the task of teaching 42 students. Since then, the university has experienced monumental growth.

The student body has expanded to approximately 13,000 students at varying levels and degrees of study and the University of Wyoming has grown itself to include nine outreach education centers that span the state of Wyoming. The university also maintains a Cooperative Extension Service center in every county of Wyoming, and operates the UW/Casper College Center.

Of course, campuses and classrooms aren't the only things that have experienced a boom in the last two hundred years at the University of Wyoming. From one building the university has grown to encompass nine different schools, specializing in a variety of subjects and disciplines (such as the College of Engineering and the Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources). Today, the University of Wyoming also offers over 180 degree programs at various levels.