University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs University of Nevada-Reno
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-Reno holds a 8-point ROI advantage over University of Nevada-Las Vegas, scoring 75/100 versus 67/100. 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 $15,927 at University of Nevada-Reno - a difference of $5,568 annually, or roughly $22,272 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn a median of $60,614 compared to $55,037 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The payback period is 9.1 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas versus 8 years at University of Nevada-Reno.
Graduates leave University of Nevada-Reno with a median $18,922 in debt versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Nevada-Las ... | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,748 | $9,578 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $27,411 | $27,720 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,359 | $15,927 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,436 | $63,708 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,300 | $41,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $55,037 | $60,614 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.5% | 61.2% |
| Payback Period | 9.1 yr | 8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,450 | $18,922 |
| Monthly Payment | $206 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.9% | 77.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 57.2% | 72.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.2% | 73.7% |
| Enrollment | 24,622 | 15,599 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1240 | 1060-1290 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Nevada... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,526 | $12,674 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,537 | $13,125 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,606 | $14,537 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $13,513 | $18,317 |
| $110,001+ | $15,905 | $21,646 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Nevada... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $100,765 | $96,291 |
| Computer Engineering | $93,830 | $100,203 |
| Registered Nursing | $94,600 | $97,949 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,901 | $88,460 |
| Civil Engineering | $90,474 | $81,201 |
| Accounting | $74,490 | $85,943 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $76,319 | $72,227 |
| International Business | $63,681 | $76,236 |
| Economics | $72,119 | $47,766 |
| Mathematics | $70,999 | $70,681 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,944 | $68,953 |
| Marketing | $58,919 | $67,914 |
| Biology | $62,087 | $59,715 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,524 | $59,014 |
| Social Work | $60,344 | $60,320 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Nevada... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 82 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 67 | 76 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 74 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 62 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 24 | 63 |
| Overall ROI Score | 67 | 75 |
The Verdict
University of Nevada-Reno has a meaningfully higher ROI score (75 vs 67). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if University of Nevada-Las Vegas 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
University of Nevada-Reno
Strong 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.