Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

College of Southern Nevada vs University of Nevada-Reno: which has better ROI?

Public, Las Vegas NV · vs · Public, Reno NV

The verdict

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.)

Head to head
MeasureCollege of Southern NevadaUniversity 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$18,922
Payback5.2 yrs
20-year net return$-218,690$181,372

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.