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.)
University of Nevada-Reno's 5.2-year payback ranks #451 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 65% of them, and #3 of 22 in Nevada.
| 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.
The arithmetic, on University of Nevada-Reno's own numbers. Net price $15,927 × 4 years = $63,708 total. Median earnings $60,614 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $12,254 a year of premium. $63,708 ÷ $12,254 = 5.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $181,372. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Nevada-Reno students graduate with?
A median $18,922 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $60,614 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Nevada-Reno students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $63,708 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,439 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Nevada-Reno expensive compared with other Nevada colleges?
Its $15,927 net price runs $5,964 below the $21,891 median across the 22 Nevada colleges we profile, and $23,854 less across the full degree.