University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs Truckee Meadows Community 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 Truckee Meadows Community College, on median earnings of $55,037 vs $44,573 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Truckee Meadows Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,359 | $8,312 |
| Total net cost | $41,436 | $33,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,037 | $44,573 |
| Median debt | $19,450 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $92,104 | -$108,988 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Truckee Meadows Community College?
Truckee Meadows Community College, at $8,312 a year after aid versus $10,359 — a gap of $2,047 a year, or $8,188 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 Truckee Meadows Community College graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates report a median $55,037 ten years after entry, $10,464 more than the $44,573 at Truckee Meadows Community 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 Truckee Meadows Community College?
Truckee Meadows Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a difference of $8,450. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, against 32% at Truckee Meadows Community College. 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.