University of Nevada-Reno — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Nevada-Reno charges a net price of $15,927/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $63,708. Graduates earn a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $12,254/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.2 years — a 20-year net return of $181,372, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,927/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $63,708 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $60,614 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $12,254/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,922 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $181,372 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.