Best Colleges in Nevada 2024

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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

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  1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  2. University of Nevada, Reno
  3. College of Southern Nevada
  4. Nevada State University
  5. Western Nevada College
  6. Sierra Nevada University
  7. Great Basin College
  1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  2. University of Nevada, Reno
  3. College of Southern Nevada
  4. Sierra Nevada University
  5. Great Basin College
  6. Western Nevada College
  7. Nevada State University
  1. University of Nevada, Reno 88%
  2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas 83%
  3. Nevada State University 79%
  4. Sierra Nevada University 67%
  1. College of Southern Nevada 21 to 1
  2. Great Basin College 18 to 1
  3. University of Nevada, Las Vegas 18 to 1
  4. Western Nevada College 18 to 1
  5. Nevada State University 18 to 1
  6. University of Nevada, Reno 17 to 1
  7. Sierra Nevada University 9 to 1
  1. Sierra Nevada University $35,508
  2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas $7,949
  3. University of Nevada, Reno $7,923
  4. Nevada State University $5,400
  5. Great Basin College $3,518
  6. College of Southern Nevada $3,293
  7. Western Nevada College $3,293
  1. Sierra Nevada University $18,700
  2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas $5,823
  3. University of Nevada, Reno $5,625
  4. Nevada State University $4,365
  1. Great Basin College
  2. Sierra Nevada University
  3. Western Nevada College
  4. Nevada State University
  5. College of Southern Nevada
  6. University of Nevada, Reno
  7. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  1. Nevada State University
  2. Western Nevada College
  3. Great Basin College
  4. Sierra Nevada University
  5. College of Southern Nevada
  6. University of Nevada, Reno
  7. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  1. Sierra Nevada University 67%
  2. Nevada State University 79%
  3. University of Nevada, Las Vegas 83%
  4. University of Nevada, Reno 88%
  1. Sierra Nevada University 9 to 1
  2. University of Nevada, Reno 17 to 1
  3. Great Basin College 18 to 1
  4. University of Nevada, Las Vegas 18 to 1
  5. Western Nevada College 18 to 1
  6. Nevada State University 18 to 1
  7. College of Southern Nevada 21 to 1
  1. College of Southern Nevada $3,293
  2. Western Nevada College $3,293
  3. Great Basin College $3,518
  4. Nevada State University $5,400
  5. University of Nevada, Reno $7,923
  6. University of Nevada, Las Vegas $7,949
  7. Sierra Nevada University $35,508
  1. Nevada State University $4,365
  2. University of Nevada, Reno $5,625
  3. University of Nevada, Las Vegas $5,823
  4. Sierra Nevada University $18,700

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?

Nevada’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Nevada's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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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.

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Best Colleges in Nevada 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    35K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Cost of Degree: $8,947
    Expenses: $16,802
    Starting Salary: $49,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Multidisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Urban Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Nevada, Reno

    Cost of Degree: $8,797
    Expenses: $19,888
    Starting Salary: $56,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Nevada, Reno’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    43K

    Career Outlook for degree at College of Southern Nevada

    Cost of Degree: $3,968
    Starting Salary: $37,400
    What is College of Southern Nevada known for?

    College of Southern Nevada’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    College of Southern Nevada’s Online Degrees

    BAS in Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Fire And Emergency Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #5

    Western Nevada College

    Carson City , NV
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Nevada College

    Cost of Degree: $3,838
    Starting Salary: $35,800
    What 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
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BAS in Organization And Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Construction
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  5. #6

    Sierra Nevada University

    Incline Village , NV

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/21

    What is Sierra Nevada University known for?

    Sierra Nevada University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Great Basin College

    Cost of Degree: $3,772
    Expenses: $11,570
    Starting Salary: $37,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Digital Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Land Surveying/Geomatics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Nevada’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  2. University of Nevada, Reno
  3. College of Southern Nevada
  4. Nevada State University
  5. Western Nevada College
  6. Sierra Nevada University
  7. Great Basin College
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