Nevada is a geographically large state; it is the seventh largest state in the US and contains some great colleges. Despite its size, Nevada has a relatively small population concentrated in a few large cities. It enjoys high levels of tourism and interaction with the populous neighboring state of California. There are large, popular community colleges but there are relatively few four-year degree institutions. The University of Nevada system is the major source of four-year degrees in Nevada. The large campuses in Reno and Las Vegas are among the best colleges and lead the state in attendance and degrees conferred.
The state of Nevada is a part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange. This organization is an education common market in which Nevada students can enroll at a wide range of public schools in neighboring states at a reduced cost. Rather than pay out-of-state rates, Nevada students can attend Western Undergraduate Exchange schools at tuition rates near the school’s in-state rate.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in Nevada?
National data consistently shows a direct relationship between salary and education. Employees with bachelor’s degrees earn substantially more than other employees with less education. A bachelor’s degree can add more than $1 million in lifetime earnings when compared to median income high school graduate. The relationship of education to earnings proceeds with advanced degrees and professional degrees. Over the US economy, education is the decisive weight on the pay scale.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Best Associate Degree Programs in Nevada
Great Basin College
Score: 94.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,855
- Out-of-State:$13,448
- Net Price: $7,058
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,197
- Undergrad Students: 3,197
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
College of Southern Nevada
Score: 78.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,110
- Out-of-State:$12,209
- Net Price: $7,685
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 17%
- Total Enrollment: 28,901
- Undergrad Students: 28,901
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Truckee Meadows Community College
Score: 66.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,144
- Out-of-State:$11,243
- Net Price: $7,966
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 9,651
- Undergrad Students: 9,651
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,400
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Western Nevada College
Score: 57.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,920
- Out-of-State:$12,019
- Net Price: $16,259
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 3,582
- Undergrad Students: 3,582
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,400
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Top 5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nevada
University of Nevada-Reno
Score: 86.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,994
- Out-of-State:$25,950
- Net Price: $16,670
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 20,945
- Undergrad Students: 16,973
- Graduate Students: 3,972
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Score: 82.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,142
- Out-of-State:$26,098
- Net Price: $13,159
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 30,660
- Undergrad Students: 25,365
- Graduate Students: 5,295
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Nevada State College
Score: 78.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$20,449
- Net Price: $16,624
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 7,169
- Undergrad Students: 7,115
- Graduate Students: 54
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Great Basin College
Score: 70.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,855
- Out-of-State:$13,448
- Net Price: $7,058
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,197
- Undergrad Students: 3,197
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
College of Southern Nevada
Score: 59.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,110
- Out-of-State:$12,209
- Net Price: $7,685
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 17%
- Total Enrollment: 28,901
- Undergrad Students: 28,901
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Best Master's Programs in Nevada
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Score: 88.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,142
- Out-of-State:$26,098
- Net Price: $13,159
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 30,660
- Undergrad Students: 25,365
- Graduate Students: 5,295
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Nevada-Reno
Score: 88.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,994
- Out-of-State:$25,950
- Net Price: $16,670
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 20,945
- Undergrad Students: 16,973
- Graduate Students: 3,972
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
DeVry University-Nevada
Score: 5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,488
- Out-of-State:$17,488
- Net Price: $40,030
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- Total Enrollment: 10
- Undergrad Students: 10
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: N/A
- Student-to-faculty: 2:1
Scholarships for Nevada College Students
Scholarships and grants are important sources of funds for higher education. The costs of a four-year degree would challenge most US families, and many students borrow funds to pay tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Borrowed funds can fill the needs of students, but student borrowers must repay the loans after graduation. Grants and scholarships can pay tuition and costs, but students do not have to repay them. Grants and scholarships can reduce the student’s financial burden both before and after college.
Finding and applying for scholarships requires time and effort. Many students must spend substantial time searching for grants and scholarships. Nevada students should search for scholarships and grants that apply to their location, status, gender, and all other significant traits. Many scholarships seek to promote specific fields of study or help women that have had a gap in their education. Students must be thorough and allow time before graduation to conduct a scholarship search.
TDF
The Doyle Foundation
https://doylefound.org/scholarships/applications/
Amounts: Up to $30,000
Deadline: February 1
The Doyle Foundation awards scholarships on the basis of need and merit. Students can choose any field of study and attend state or private universities in or outside of Nevada. Recipients must be graduates of the Washoe County School District in Northern Nevada, or they must be graduates or currently enrolled in the Truckee Meadows Community College in Nevada. Applicants must submit the SAR section of the FAFSA, school transcripts, and a personal essay.
TNOHS
The Nevada’s Otto Huth Scholarship
http://dcfs.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dcfsnvgov/content/Programs/CWS/IL/2015-OTTO%20Flyer.pdf
Amounts: Up to $40,000
Deadline: April 15
The Otto Huth scholarship supports students that were children in the Nevada Foster Youth system. Award recipients can renew their awards up to an overall total of $40,000. The scholarship supports eligible students that attend colleges in the state of Nevada. Winners must begin higher education with 12 months of the award, have a 2.0 GPA or higher, and plan on attending school full-time. The awards can cover tuition, books, room and board, and other educational expenses like student health insurance.
RRFS
Reno Rodeo Foundation Scholarships
https://www.renorodeofoundation.org/scholarships/
Amounts: $1,000 & $2,500 (Several Awards)
Deadline: February 13
The Rodeo Foundation supports college-bound students attempting to enter their first year of college. The program requires a 3.0-grade point average, a verifiable need for financial assistance, and intention to carry a full-time course load in college. The program selection gives preference to applicants that have been active in the 4-H, FFA, or Rodeo activities. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors from designated Northern Nevada counties. The eligible areas are Elko, Washoe, Humboldt, Pershing, Eureka, and Lander counties. Recipients must enroll in the Nevada System of Higher Education unless the chosen major is not available in the Nevada system
TNPS
The Nevada Promise Scholarship
https://www.csn.edu/promise
Amounts: Varies
Deadline: October 31 (Also need to finish FAFSA before it’s deadline)
The Nevada Promise covers unpaid registration and fees at specific state schools. Eligible applicants must be Nevada residents and high school graduates or graduating seniors. The Nevada Promise Scholarship is a last dollar award; it covers unpaid costs for Nevada students that attend any of the state’s four community colleges, namely, the College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, or Western Nevada College. Nevada residents do not have to pay tuition at these community schools. The program requires community service and active coordination with program mentors. The Nevada Promise program may be a stepping stone for Nevada residents to achieve four-year degrees.
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