University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs Northwest Career College: which has better ROI?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,436 in 6.2 years versus not at all at Northwest Career College, on median earnings of $55,037 vs $27,530 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Northwest Career College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,359 | $16,470 |
| Total net cost | $41,436 | $65,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,037 | $27,530 |
| Median debt | $19,450 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $92,104 | -$482,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, at $10,359 a year after aid versus $16,470 — a gap of $6,111 a year, or $24,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates report a median $55,037 ten years after entry, $27,507 more than the $27,530 at Northwest Career College. 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, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College?
Northwest Career College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a difference of $9,950. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Northwest Career College, against 51% at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. 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.