Wyoming College Cost Contribution Estimator

No, Wyoming courts have no statutory authority to order divorced parents to contribute to their children's college education. Under Wyoming Statutes § 20-2-313, the child support obligation ends when the child turns 18 or reaches age 20 while attending high school full-time. Post-secondary education costs fall outside the court's jurisdiction for mandatory support orders.

Wyoming courts do not consider factors for college contribution because they lack authority to order it. However, parents negotiating voluntary agreements typically consider each parent's income, the child's academic performance, available financial aid, the cost of specific institutions, and whether to cap contributions at in-state public university rates of approximately $8,245 per year.

There is no statutory cap because Wyoming does not permit court-ordered college contributions. Parents creating voluntary agreements often self-impose caps, commonly limiting support to University of Wyoming's in-state total cost of attendance ($26,433 annually) or requiring the child to attend a Wyoming institution to receive full support.

Yes, Wyoming parents can voluntarily agree to share college costs in their divorce settlement. Both parties must consent to the arrangement in writing, and the agreement should be submitted to the court for incorporation into the divorce decree. Once included in a court order, the college contribution provision becomes legally enforceable as a contractual obligation.

Since Wyoming does not mandate college contributions, there is no statutory duration. Voluntary agreements typically specify terms such as four years of undergraduate study, until age 23, or until the child earns a bachelor's degree. Parents should clearly define the duration, including what happens if the child takes a gap year or changes majors.

University of Wyoming, the state's only four-year public university, charges approximately $8,245 in-state tuition and $24,865 out-of-state tuition annually. Total cost of attendance including room, board, and fees reaches $26,433 for residents and $42,843 for non-residents. Wyoming's in-state tuition is 34% below the national average of $12,436.

Wyoming cannot issue college contribution orders, so financial aid has no direct legal impact on court proceedings. However, parents drafting voluntary agreements should address how scholarships, grants, and loans affect each parent's contribution. Most agreements credit financial aid against the total cost before calculating each parent's share.

Since Wyoming courts cannot issue college contribution orders, modification procedures do not apply. Voluntary agreements incorporated into divorce decrees may be modified if both parents consent to new terms. Without mutual agreement, the original contractual terms remain enforceable, making careful initial drafting essential for Wyoming families.