I want to be a physicist, but I’m from a small town and don’t think I’ll get into an Ivy League college(I’ll sure apply though!). I read in multiple articles that it doesn’t matter where you go to college for undergrad and even graduate school. Is this true? let’s say, I get an undergrad degree from University of Wyoming or UC Boulder, is that good enough? And if I don’t get accepted to a good graduate program, and get a PhD from there will I still be able to be successful?
To clarify, I mean if I get a PhD from a college like UWYO or UC Boulder will I be able to be a “competitive” applicant for physics jobs and professorships?
Graduate school, it absolutely matters where you go. Tenure-track positions in the field are highly competitive and going to a top graduate program is a the biggest factor in getting one. As for undergrad, neither of those schools is going to put you at a disadvantage for a top PhD program, provided you do well and do well in other areas such as GREs and research.
The most important thing as an undergraduate is not where you get your degree but what you do while you are getting your degree. Make sure you go to a school where you can get research experience and seek out REU programs in the summers. Of course, make sure you get good grades and that your school has a full year of electrodynamics and quantum mechanics.
For graduate school, I would give a slightly different response. The most important thing about your graduate program is your Ph.D. advisor. A good Ph.D. advisor can help you have a successful career, even if the advisor is at a less selective program.