University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs Nevada State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Nevada-Las Vegas holds a 9-point ROI advantage over Nevada State University, scoring 67/100 versus 58/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Nevada-Las Vegas comes in at $10,359 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,068 at Nevada State University - a difference of $3,709 annually, or roughly $14,836 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn a median of $55,037 compared to $53,166 at Nevada State University. The payback period is 9.1 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas versus 10.8 years at Nevada State University.
Graduates leave University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a median $19,450 in debt versus $19,691 at Nevada State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.43 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Nevada-Las ... | Nevada State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,748 | $6,765 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $27,411 | $21,833 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,359 | $14,068 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,436 | $56,272 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,300 | $45,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $55,037 | $53,166 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.5% | 33.6% |
| Payback Period | 9.1 yr | 10.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,450 | $19,691 |
| Monthly Payment | $206 | $209 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.43 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.9% | 68.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 57.2% | 53.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.2% | 86.8% |
| Enrollment | 24,622 | 3,762 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Nevada... | Nevada State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,526 | $11,438 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,537 | $13,084 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,606 | $16,002 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $13,513 | $17,757 |
| $110,001+ | $15,905 | $21,125 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Nevada... | Nevada State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $94,600 | $95,918 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $60,958 | $64,201 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $53,070 | $62,684 |
| Biology | $62,087 | $28,205 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,524 | $60,273 |
| History | $39,477 | $57,600 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,556 | $46,443 |
| English Language and Literature | $48,773 | $56,591 |
| Teacher Education | $56,095 | $54,646 |
| Psychology | $51,200 | $53,468 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Nevada... | Nevada State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 71 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 67 | 57 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 74 | 83 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 13 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 24 | 37 |
| Overall ROI Score | 67 | 58 |
The Verdict
University of Nevada-Las Vegas has a meaningfully higher ROI score (67 vs 58). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Nevada State University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Nevada State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.