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University of Wyoming Draws More Out-of-State, International Students

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Low tuition at the University of Wyoming, along with recent efforts to attract students from out of state, has boosted the number of students attending from other states and countries.

The university reports that more than a third of its students now hail from outside Wyoming. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that school officials say they’ve worked over the last decade to draw more out-of-state students.

“We’re really excited for the diversification of students on campus,” said Sara Axelson, vice president of student affairs. “We not only want students from our state, but we want a diversity (of students) in the classroom.”

Last year, about 34 percent of the student body wasn’t from Wyoming, according to the Office of Institutional Analysis.

Nonresident tuition for the 2010-2011 school year was about $12,000. The national average is about $21,000.

The University of Wyoming now has about 750 students from other countries, including 75 from Nepal. School officials say the international students help give the entire student body a more global perspective.

“After having spent a whole year at UW (as a school year abroad), I decided I wanted to continue to study in the U.S. and Wyoming,” said Vanessa Baguet, head of the UW international student association. “I liked the program and system better.”

In addition, the Hathaway Scholarships, which are available to Wyoming students, have freed some money for aid for out-of-state students.

“We have faculty working collaboratively to bring in (international) students,” Axelson said. “The big population of (international) students is from China and India, (which) really ties into internationalization efforts.”

“When we have international students, what we get at the university is an exposure to different cultures and viewpoints,” said Shelley Dodd, interim director of admissions. “Class discussion is more than what it would be if we all had the same thinking.”

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