University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs in Nevada.

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.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Nevada?

Nevada colleges award degrees in a wide range of majors including technical fields like minerals and mining. The leading category was business and management. The humanities studies were the second group followed closely by psychology, social science, and the natural sciences. The selection range in Nevada is in line with national trends and averages. Business degrees are the most popular choice on a national level.

Nevada’s economy is unique in that it has a substantial level of tourism and gaming. The state economy has above average demands in travel-related fields like hospitality, hotel management, and entertainment fields. Nevada has Las Vegas and many natural tourist destinations. The proximity of some Nevada cities to southern California also adds to opportunities in hospitality and entertainment. The below-listed items are the broad major subject categories with the highest numbers of conferred degrees from all Nevada degree-granting institutions.

How Much More Can You Make by Having 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


1
  • 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: $47,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Great Basin College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2

Truckee Meadows Community College

Score: 74.42

  • 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
  • Truckee Meadows Community College
3
  • 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: $34,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • College of Southern Nevada
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • 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
  • Western Nevada College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Top 5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nevada


1
  • 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-Reno
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2
  • 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-Las Vegas
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
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
  • Nevada State College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • 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
  • Great Basin College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
5
  • 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
  • College of Southern Nevada
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Best Master's Programs in Nevada


1
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,119
    • Out-of-State: $23,075
  • 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-Las Vegas
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,792
    • Out-of-State: $22,748
  • 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-Reno
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
3

DeVry University-Nevada

Score: 5

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,072
    • Out-of-State: $17,072
  • 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
  • DeVry University-Nevada

College Tuition Costs Vs Salary Potential


College costs are higher than most families can afford to pay and the vast majority of students require some type of financial assistance. The average public out-of-state tuition is about $27,000 per year, and that would require an investment of more than $100,000 to complete a four-year degree. The average tuition for private schools is higher, and a four-year private degree would require about $140,000 in tuition expenses. Today’s student and student family must weigh the costs of education and develop plans for managing the costs.

Public colleges and universities get substantial financial support from public funds. The taxpayers of the state support the institutions and guarantee their obligations. Public schools, in turn, offer residents lower rates for tuition that reflect the state subsidy of the public college and university system. Nevada offers in-state tuition rates for residents which can substantially reduce the costs of education. Students must qualify by providing proof of residency.

Nevada participates in an education common market with public and other participating colleges in 14 states. Nevada students can use the education common market to attend participating schools at tuition rates that range between the in-state rate and 150% of the in-state rate.

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College Cost Analysis - Nevada vs National


Average Nevada Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $5,845

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State Tuition – $21,125

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Nevada provides federal grants to 37% of those who apply for them, which is close to the national average. However, Nevada is substantially below the national average in dollars per recipient. Overall, Nevada’s college costs are lower than in most states.

Financial Aid Nevada Nationally
Received Federal Grants 37% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $9,606 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a post-secondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

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_logo

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.

KCGMS

Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship

http://www.nevadatreasurer.gov/uploadedFiles/nevadatreasurergov/content/GGMS/Forms/MemorialScholarshipProcedures.pdf
Amounts: Up to $4,500 annually
Deadline: April 1
The Governor of Nevada signed this state-sponsored award into law in 2011. The Nevada State Treasurer's Office administers the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship. The award is a merit-based fund providing aid to one Northern and one Southern Nevada resident. The award supports students intending to become educators. Eligible recipients must attend the University of Nevada-Reno, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Great Basin College, Sierra Nevada College, or Nevada State College. Eligible students must be entering the senior year or have earned more than 90 credit hours, with a major in elementary or secondary education. Award winners must have a 3.5-grade point average or higher and demonstrate a record of community engagement.

TNOHS_logo

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_logo

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_logo

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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