Best Nevada Colleges & Universities

Best Nevada Colleges: Rankings

Prospective students can get an idea of what Nevada has to offer by checking out this list of top colleges in the state for the school year. Rankings are determined by a combination of factors, including tuition, student-to-teacher ratio, financial aid packages and graduation rates. Students who don't find the right college for them in this list can use it to gauge the quality of other Nevada schools.

Methodology +

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in Nevada
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 5 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in Nevada
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 10 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• 6-year graduation rate
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Truckee Meadows Community College	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 22%		21%	N/A	11	N/A	Yes	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	University of Nevada-Reno	99.64	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 45%		54%	84%	1	N/A	Yes	Yes
2	Sierra Nevada College	99.09	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 95%		49%	66%	0	N/A	Yes	No
3	University of Nevada-Las Vegas	95.64	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 38%		41%	87%	3	N/A	Yes	No
4	Great Basin College	94.74	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 40%		14%	N/A	9	N/A	Yes	Yes
5	Nevada State College	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 43%		16%	55%	1	N/A	No	No

Search & Compare Colleges in Nevada

Finding the right Nevada college doesn't have to mean sorting through endless "About Us" pages on college websites. Prospective students can use this search tool to find college matches by filtering for cost, student population, types of schools and available degrees. Users can also make side-by-side comparisons to find a Nevada college that meets their financial, academic and lifestyle needs.

Cost of Attending College in Nevada

The sticker price of tuition isn't always an accurate representation of what students pay to attend college. Having an idea of how likely they are to receive financial aid and how much they will be awarded can give prospective students a clearer picture of the real cost of attending a Nevada college. Check out the following charts to see how Nevada compares with the national average for tuition rates, financial aid packages and percent of students receiving aid.

Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada

Nevada is working on making higher education more affordable to its students through new and established financial aid programs. When combining the aid from these programs with federal financial aid, the cost of attending college in Nevada can be vastly different from the advertised price. These six colleges are the most affordable in the state based on net price, or cost of attendance minus financial aid.

• 1
  
  College of Southern Nevada$6,932
• 2
  
  Great Basin College$8,188
• 3
  
  Western Nevada College$9,371

• 4
  
  University of Nevada-Las Vegas$11,159
• 5
  
  Nevada State College$11,319
• 6
  
  University of Nevada-Reno$15,207

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Nevada College Net Price vs. National Average

$12,770

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Nevada Colleges with Highest-Paid Alumni

Starting a good career upon graduation can be difficult, but getting there helps graduates tackle any loans taken out for college and gain financial stability. The schools below turn out Nevada's highest paid alumni 10 years after beginning their degree programs. Check them out along with how average earnings for Nevada alumni compare with those nationally.

• 1
  
  University of Nevada-Reno$45,500
• 2
  
  University of Nevada-Las Vegas$43,500
• 3
  
  Sierra Nevada College$42,500

• 4
  
  Great Basin College$32,000
• 5
  
  College of Southern Nevada$31,900
• 6
  
  Western Nevada College$28,400

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Nevada Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$37,300

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Nevada Colleges for Low Student Loan Debt

Debt is often a very real issue for recent college graduates, but the right combination of affordable tuition, financial planning services and state aid can help lighten the load. These Nevada colleges leave their students with the least amount of debt upon graduation.

• 1
  
  Great Basin College$12,000
• 2
  
  College of Southern Nevada$12,662
• 3
  
  Western Nevada College$13,000

• 4
  
  University of Nevada-Reno$18,743
• 5
  
  University of Nevada-Las Vegas$19,491
• 6
  
  Sierra Nevada College$22,500

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Nevada College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$19,394

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Nevada Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

It's important that prospective students not only look at the cost of college but also the general cost of living wherever they plan to attend school. Rent, utilities, groceries and transportation can all affect the affordability of attending college. The cost of living in Nevada is right around the national average, which may be encouraging for many. Prospective students can reference the following tables to learn cost of living specifics for Nevada and its major metro areas.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for Nevada Colleges

Prospective students should be sure to look for accredited Nevada colleges when conducting their school search. Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process that institutions can undergo to show that they meet quality assurance standards in various areas, like teacher qualifications and program development. Accreditation also gives institutions and their students access to federal funding. For schools, this means support for teachers and research. For students, this means access to federal financial aid. Students can look for both regional and programmatic accreditation. The regional accrediting body for Nevada is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits the chemical, civil, materials, mechanical, environmental and electrical engineering programs at the University of Nevada, Reno.
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits the economics, entrepreneurship, international business, finance, marketing, management, real estate and urban economics, applied economics, M.B.A. and Executive M.B.A. programs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Popular College Cities in Nevada

Las Vegas

Southern Nevada has a handful of higher education options, but like Reno, Las Vegas proper has only two primary, not-for-profit colleges. The College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are public institutions that provide students with a variety of degree and certificate options, like kinesiological sciences, paramedic medicine and hospitality management. Students who attend college in Las Vegas also have the advantage of being surrounded by many large industries that provide internship and job opportunities.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Public	$11,159	$43,500
UNLV is a public research institute founded in 1957. The university offers over 350 degrees in 146 programs of study and is working toward becoming a top tier public university in research, education and community impact by 2025. Around 23,800 UNLV students are undergraduates, and about 4,800 are graduate students. Those who attend UNLV get to enjoy over 300 student organizations and are only a few miles away from Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River.
College of Southern Nevada	Public	$6,932	$31,900
The College of Southern Nevada is the state's largest and most ethnically diverse college. This public institution boasts over 160 degrees in more than 70 different areas of study. With three main locations, an early high school program, multiple centers within southern Nevada and 23 degrees and certificates available entirely online, CSN students are sure to find a program that meets their needs. Students can also participate in a variety of clubs, organizations and sports teams.

Reno

Reno is home to two main colleges: the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. While this may seem limiting at first, both the four-year and two-year institution offer an array of degree and certificate programs, including over 40 Ph.D. options for graduate students. Students who want to pursue graduate or undergraduate degrees related to environmental research, earth and environmental sciences, hydrologic sciences or atmospheric sciences also have the benefit of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) right next to TMCC and a few minutes from UNR. DRI faculty often work with UNR classes and offer internships and assistantships.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Nevada, Reno	Public	$15,207	$45,500
Founded in 1874, UNR is public research university with 145 degree programs, more than 250 student clubs and organizations and an array of sports teams. UNR also offers over 200 online courses each year and has one of the nation's largest study abroad programs, so students can learn almost anywhere. The campus is settled on the outer edge of downtown Reno, minutes away from the Truckee River and a short drive from Lake Tahoe and Mt. Rose.
Truckee Meadows Community College	Public	$6,903	$32,500
Truckee Meadows Community College serves over 25,000 students at five campus locations and over 20 community centers. The school offers credit and non-credit programs in over 50 career areas and has transfer agreements between UNR, UNLV and Nevada State College, making it easy to transfer to four-year Nevada colleges. TMCC also has a high school that allows junior and senior students to earn college credit up to an associate degree while earning their high school diplomas.

Source: College Scorecard

Nevada College Resources

Prospective students who want to learn more about colleges in Nevada, financial aid opportunities and Nevada education news can take a look at the resources below: