Western Nevada College vs Carrington College-Reno: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western Nevada College comes closer — median earnings $41,987 against a $25,464 total, vs $43,731 at Carrington College-Reno. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western Nevada College | Carrington College-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,732 | $51,823 |
| Total net cost | $25,464 | $103,646 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,987 | $43,731 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $15,188 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$152,924 | -$196,226 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Western Nevada College or Carrington College-Reno?
Western Nevada College, at $12,732 a year after aid versus $51,823 — a gap of $39,091 a year, or $78,182 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Western Nevada College or Carrington College-Reno graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Reno graduates report a median $43,731 ten years after entry, $1,744 more than the $41,987 at Western Nevada 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, Western Nevada College or Carrington College-Reno?
Western Nevada College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $15,188 at Carrington College-Reno, a difference of $4,688. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Carrington College-Reno, against 41% at Western Nevada 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.