University of Nevada-Las Vegas 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 6.2 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, on median earnings of $60,614 vs $55,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,359 | $15,927 |
| Total net cost | $41,436 | $63,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,037 | $60,614 |
| Median debt | $19,450 | $18,922 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $92,104 | $181,372 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or University of Nevada-Reno?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, at $10,359 a year after aid versus $15,927 — a gap of $5,568 a year, or $22,272 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 University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Reno graduates report a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $5,577 more than the $55,037 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. 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 University of Nevada-Reno?
University of Nevada-Reno: its completers carry a median $18,922 in federal loans versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a difference of $528. 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 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.