Best Colleges in Nevada 2026
Here are the best colleges and universities in Nevada. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.
Best Colleges in Nevada in 2026
Colleges and Universities in Nevada
From bigger universities, like the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to smaller schools, like Western Nevada College, students have plenty of options. While the University of Nevada, Las Vegas serves 25,000 students, making it Nevada’s largest higher education institute, their friendly rival university in the north, the University of Nevada, Reno, comes in at a close second, with just over 19,000 students.
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Though Western Nevada College is much smaller in student population, this school offers three campuses and seven other instructional sites across the state. With yearly tuition at the three major universities being under $10,000 and tuition at several smaller colleges coming in at $5,000 or less, students are sure to find an affordable degree. Additionally, those hoping to pursue a career in healthcare or a related field may want to consider attending one of Nevada’s three private colleges or the two biggest universities, all of which offer unique degrees in areas spanning radiology, pediatrics, and nursing. Nevada is also home to one Judaic college, Touro University Nevada, located in Henderson, a city just outside of Las Vegas.
Though most know Nevada for the glitzy casinos and attractions in Las Vegas, it is also home to beautiful Lake Tahoe, a favorite of skiers, hikers, beachgoers, locals, and vacationers. In Nevada, students can bet big and enjoy the outdoors, all while earning their degree at one of The Silver State’s exemplary colleges and universities.
Check out the top degree programs and future career opportunities offered in Nevada.
What are Nevada’s Colleges & Universities?
- 2 Research Universities
- 5 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 2 Graduate Schools
- 6 Public Colleges & Universities
- 1 Private College or University
- 4 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 6 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 5 Community Colleges
- 6 Online Colleges
Nevada’s Best Overall
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
We’ve identified 7 colleges and universities in Nevada that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Nevada below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Nevada.
Best Colleges in Nevada 2023
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Grad Schools in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
52%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/21
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cost of Degree: $9,142Expenses: $17,362Starting Salary: $62,536Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Nevada, Las Vegas known for?
University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Online Degrees
BA in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Multidisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Urban Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Nevada 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Nevada 2026 #2 Best Research Universities in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
60%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nevada, Reno
Cost of Degree: $8,994Expenses: $20,270Starting Salary: $67,303Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Nevada, Reno known for?
University of Nevada, Reno’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Communications
- Business
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Physics
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
University of Nevada, Reno’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Community Colleges in Nevada 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
22%
Student body
39K
Career Outlook for degree at College of Southern Nevada
Cost of Degree: $4,110Starting Salary: $44,658What is College of Southern Nevada known for?
College of Southern Nevada’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Social Work
- Education
- Earth Sciences
- Business
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Medical
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
College of Southern Nevada’s Online Degrees
BAS in Project Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Fire And Emergency Services Administration
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Nevada 2026 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nevada 2026 #2 Best Community Colleges in Nevada 2026 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
48%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Great Basin College
Cost of Degree: $3,855Expenses: $11,570Starting Salary: $46,942Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Great Basin College known for?
Great Basin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Great Basin College’s Online Degrees
BAS in Management And Supervision
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Digital Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Land Surveying/Geomatics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Nevada 2026 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nevada 2026 #3 Best Community Colleges in Nevada 2026 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
38%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Nevada College
Cost of Degree: $3,920Starting Salary: $47,506What is Western Nevada College known for?
Western Nevada College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Western Nevada College’s Online Degrees
BAS in Construction Management
- Required Credits: 120
BAS in Organization And Project Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Construction
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- #3 Best Small Colleges in Nevada 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nevada 2026 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
36%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Nevada State University
Cost of Degree: $6,368Starting Salary: $58,648What is Nevada State University known for?
Nevada State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #1 Best Private Colleges in Nevada 2026 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #4 Best Small Colleges in Nevada 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nevada 2026
Student body
<1K
What is Sierra Nevada University known for?
Sierra Nevada University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Nevada’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
