College of Southern Nevada vs University of Nevada-Reno: which has better ROI?
University of Nevada-Reno has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,708 in 5.2 years versus not at all at College of Southern Nevada, on median earnings of $60,614 vs $38,087 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Southern Nevada | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,615 | $15,927 |
| Total net cost | $13,230 | $63,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,087 | $60,614 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $18,922 |
| Payback | — | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$218,690 | $181,372 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Southern Nevada or University of Nevada-Reno?
College of Southern Nevada, at $6,615 a year after aid versus $15,927 — a gap of $9,312 a year, or $50,478 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Southern Nevada or University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Reno graduates report a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $22,527 more than the $38,087 at College of Southern Nevada. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, College of Southern Nevada or University of Nevada-Reno?
College of Southern Nevada: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $18,922 at University of Nevada-Reno, a difference of $10,922. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at University of Nevada-Reno, against 19% at College of Southern Nevada. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.