Beginning a Hospitality Management Career at CWC
Central Wyoming College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management.
Exclusively at the Jackson Outreach Center, the Business Division confers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Hotel & Restaurant Management for Central Wyoming College Rustlers to develop the customer service leadership skills for the tourism market. Chaired by Prof. Amy Madera, the 63-credit, HLC-accredited curriculum teaches the latest strategies for accommodation and food service organizations with 72 percent retention. This Wyoming Works partner schedules 1000-level courses, such as Wine Production and Culinary Nutrition, around seasonal internships. During busy summer and winter months, majors gain hands-on practice with the Four Seasons, Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Amangani, Rustin Inn Creekside Resort, and others. Since 2008, there’s been a unique 2+2 transfer agreement with the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College for advancement. For shorter study, undergrads could pursue a 32-credit Hotel & Restaurant Management Certificate or Culinary Arts Certificate instead.
About Central Wyoming College
Central Wyoming College originated in 1966 when Fremont County residents voted favorably to create a two-year higher learning institution at a 5-1 majority. On September 23, 1968, an inaugural class of 230 enrolled at the former Mund/Dobler Farm. In 1969, the University of Wyoming leased CWC land within Sinks Canyon State Park for expansion in Lander. In 1973, Central Wyoming College built its original Residence Hall for on-campus room and board. One decade later, the Robert A. Peck Arts Center started broadcasting its famous KCWC-TV station. In 1996, Central Wyoming received a Title III Grant worth $1.75 for curriculum development. In 1997, CWC utilized cutting-edge technology to launch rural distance programs. By August 2010, Central Wyoming College had unveiled its Intertribal Education & Community Center. In 2016, Rustler Central was built to celebrate CWC’s 50th anniversary.
Allocated $7.57 million yearly, Central Wyoming College now educates 485 full-time and 2,203 part-time Rustlers at an average age of 25 online, on the 60-acre Riverton campus, or at five outreach centers from Jackson to Fort Washakie with 20+ clubs like Phi Theta Kappa. In 2018, CWC received the Jackie Freeze Award for Outstanding Commitment to Student Success. In 2019, Central Wyoming College had 34 NJCAA Region IX Academic Excellence Award recipients. Central Wyoming’s PBS channel won a 2019 Heartland Emmy Award for its Glaciers of the Winds documentary too. WalletHub ranked Central Wyoming College 171st overall with the 133rd best academic outcomes. On Niche, CWC boasts America’s 76th best community college education. SR Education Group placed Central Wyoming fourth statewide for online learning. PayScale picked CWC 705th with a mid-career salary of $60,000.
Central Wyoming College Accreditation Details
On February 12, 2016, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council mailed formal notification to Central Wyoming College that the Level I accreditation status was extended through 2025-26 under President Brad Tyndall, PhD, who earned a Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees Award. Located 1,231 miles east via Interstate 80 in Chicago, this mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review CWC’s 30 associate and 21 certificate options.
Central Wyoming College Application Requirements
Enrollment at Central Wyoming College is classified “non-competitive” by Peterson’s because 100 percent of the 453 Fall 2018 applicants were openly admitted. Prospective AAS in Hotel & Restaurant Management majors still must culminate a qualifying high school or equivalency diploma though. Finishing at least three years of English, math, and social science is preferred. Minimum grades aren’t listed, but the average freshman GPA is 3.06. Guaranteed scholarships require achieving 3.0 GPA, 1080 SAT, 21 ACT, or higher marks. Scores are optional for other undergrads who take the ALEKS placement exam. International students must be English proficient with minimum 60 TOEFL iBT, 6.0 IELTS, or 85 Duolingo scores. Non-U.S. residents need verification of $18,263 or more in bank funds. Undergrads can also transfer freshman and sophomore college courses graded C or greater for up to 48 credits.
Central Wyoming College conveniently has rolling admission anytime year-round. Classes currently begin on August 26th for Fall, January 13th for Spring, and May 26th for Summer. It’s suggested international students apply before May 1st or September 1st. The CWC Foundation considers scholarship applicants from November 1st to March 1st. Accordingly, complete the online or paper application for free. Send official transcripts to 2660 Peck Avenue in Riverton, WY 82501. Forward optional test scores using SAT/TOEFL code 4115 or ACT code 4999. Fulfill supplemental steps, such as the guarantee of support form, housing deposit, health certificate, ALEKS placement exam, and current passport. Contact (307) 855-2000 or pedwards@cwc.edu with any questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Central Wyoming College is charging full-time “Equality State” residents $4,200 for annual tuition and fees. Non-resident AAS in Hotel & Restaurant Management majors pay $10,140 each year. The Western Undergraduate Exchange drops this rate to $5,670 yearly. Studying part-time costs $140 to $338 per credit. Room and board on the Riverton campus’ dorms like Mote Hall adds $6,681 every nine months. CWC budgets $1,200 for books, $1,000 for transportation, and $1,500 for personal expenses. Annual associate attendance equals about $13,501 in-state, $14,629 in Western states, and $18,013 out-of-state. Living off-campus with family would cost only $6,820 to $11,332 per year though.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Main Hall Room 101 connects 47 percent of full-time CWC Rustlers to median tuition assistance of $5,729 each for $5.19 million combined. Institutional funds include the Student Ambassador Scholarship, Riverton Rendezvous Rodeo Scholarship, Brad Eastman Scholarship, Hathaway Scholarship, Violet Fleak GED Scholarship, Brenda Lee Memorial Scholarship, Jim & Audrey Bailey Family Scholarship, Mary Odde Memorial Scholarship, Mike Blair Scholarship, Duncan-Chapela Scholarship, Ann King Scholarship, and David Usher Memorial Scholarship. The Guaranteed Platinum Scholarship gifts $5,360 annually to freshmen meeting the 3.5 GPA and 25 ACT minimum. The $3,120 Gold Gear Up Scholarship has a June 1st deadline for high school participants with GPAs above 3.5. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or SEOG Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 005018. Wyomingites could also claim the John Ellbogen Foundation Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Homemakers Scholarship, Craig & Susan Thomas Foundation Scholarship, and more.
Keep reading about Central Wyoming College at the Hotel & Restaurant Management Program website.