Best Colleges in Nevada (2023 Rankings)

Nevada may be best known for the glittering lights of Las Vegas, but there's way more to this state than Sin City. It's also home to some great colleges and universities. If the Silver State is calling your name, there are plenty of schools worth looking at - and they cater to all kinds of needs and wants.

Whether you want to fast-track it to the working world with a two-year community college degree or you want to do a full bachelor's program, there are options for everyone (and for every GPA). In fact, you don't even have to be in Nevada to go to some of these schools: In addition to on campus options, some also offer online degrees.

And now, in no particular order, here is our list of the top colleges in Nevada! 

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) prides itself on being a Hispanic-serving institution and a member of the Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) alliance. 

The school offers 76 majors and 82 minors. Fun fact: Tagalog is one of the most prevalent second languages spoken among students. Oh, and the location can't be beat (if you're entranced by the Vegas city lights, that is - and hey, who isn't?). The school is spread across 350 acres in the heart of Las Vegas, NV.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 25,864 students
• Acceptance rate: 81%
• Six-year graduation rate: 44%
• Tuition and fees: $8,685 (in-state) or $24,338 (out-of-state)

University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada-Reno is located near Lake Tahoe and spans 290 acres, making this a perfect pick if you love an outdoors lifestyle. 

Don't feel like spending a lot of time on your college applications? According to their website, applying to this school will only take 15 minutes - no test scores needed and no application essay to write. Uh, sign us up!? The easy application doesn't mean this school is for slackers; this is also a Carnegie R1 research institution.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 16,845 students
• Acceptance rate: 87%
• Six-year graduation rate: 60%
• Tuition and fees: $8,366 (in-state) or $24,020 (out-of-state)

Nevada State College

Nevada State College is located in Henderson, NV, the second largest city in the state. It's about 15 miles from the legendary Las Vegas strip, so rest assured you'll never get bored on the weekend. 

There are also plenty of outdoor and cultural activities if you aren't big on partying. If you're a first-generation college student, check out the Nevada State University Foundation, which is designed to support this segment of students.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 7,218 students
• Acceptance rate: 90%
• Tuition and fees: $6,075 (in-state) or $19,076 (out-of-state)

Great Basin College

Located in Elko, NV, Great Basin College boasts small class sizes and diverse study options, including both in-person and online programs. From one-year certificate programs to two-year associate's degrees and four-year bachelor's, there's a range of scholastic options for every style (and commitment level).

They also have comprehensive support services for all types of students, like a child and family center for studying parents and a diversity and inclusion initiative.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 3,772 students
• Six-year graduation rate: 43%
• Tuition and fees: $3,248 (in-state) or $10,603 (out-of-state)

College of Southern Nevada

The College of Southern Nevada has three campuses across the greater Las Vegas Metropolitan area as well as multiple learning centers throughout southern Nevada. 

Areas of study range from art and design to computer science, education, and beyond. There are more than 189 programs of study to choose from. If you want to become a Coyote (the school's mascot), you'll join more than one million CSN alumni. For student athletes, the College of Southern Nevada also has a thriving sports program.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 29,965 students
• Tuition and fees: $3,878 (in-state) or $11,355 (out-of-state)

Western Nevada College

Western Nevada College boasts relatively small classes with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. They also have a high career placement rate of 79%, which is great news if you're eager to start working as soon as you get your degree. 

In addition to formal degree programs, this school also offers professional development certifications and licensing programs.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 3,495 students
• Tuition and fees: $3,548 (in-state) or $11,025 (out-of-state)

Truckee Meadows Community College

Community colleges like Truckee Meadows can be a great way to fast-track your education. Then you can complete a two-year degree and start earning that cash ASAP! What's not to love? 

Truckee Meadows offers online, in-person, and hybrid courses - and everybody is welcome. You can get the training to become anything from an advanced emergency medical technician to a cybersecurity specialist.

Fast facts:

• Undergraduate enrollment: 10,249
• Tuition and fees: $2,862 (in-state) or $10,339 (out-of-state)

Nevada college FAQ

There are some questions that people ask again and again about going to school in Nevada - no, it's not always, "Which school is closest to Las Vegas?" Below, we answer the most common queries.

What is the largest college in Nevada?

If you believe that school size matters, then your enrollment numbers are worth looking at. A bigger student body means more people to mix and mingle with and more activities and clubs to explore, from sports to arts.

 The school with the biggest enrollment in Nevada is the College of Southern Nevada (29,965 students). The University of Nevada-Las Vegas comes in a close second  (25,864 students).

How do in-state and out-of-state tuition fees differ in Nevada?

Nobody wants to come out of college with a degree plus loads of student debt. If you're a Nevada resident, you can save a lot of money on your education by going to a public institution as an in-state student. 

For example, Great Basin College charges $10,603 for out-of-state tuition and fees, while in-state tuition and fees are just $3,248. Another example: The University of Nevada (UNR) in Reno, NV charges in-state students only $8,366 compared to $24,020 for out-of-state students.

Can I pursue minors or associate degrees at Nevada colleges?

Yes, many Nevada colleges and universities offer minors that you can pursue in addition to your major concentration. For instance, the University of Nevada, Reno offers minors in everything from addiction treatment to entrepreneurship, geological sciences, and more. 

It's also possible to get associate's degrees at some Nevada schools. In case you aren't up for a full four-year bachelor's degree, this can be a viable alternative. For example, the College of Southern Nevada offers two-year associate's degrees in Accounting, Air Conditioning Technology, Applied Psychology, Economics, Criminal Justice, Journalism, Secondary Education, and more.

Navigate Nevada's best colleges with College Rover

Going to college is an exciting milestone - but before you can go,  you've got to do some research. Yeah, yeah, we know: that means even more work on top of the high school exams you're taking, SATs you're studying for, homework you're trying to stay on top of ... It's a lot!

Don't stress: College Rover makes it easy to research private and public universities in the state of Nevada and beyond. Whether you want to explore coastal schools in California, ski the mountains of Utah, or explore the bright lights of the Big Apple, you can research your options on College Rover. From two-year community colleges to four-year colleges, you'll find a diversity of possibilities.

Sign into College Rover to scope out more schools. College Rover also offers tutorials to help you through the admissions process, with tips for writing essays, taking tours, getting financial aid, and more. Start your higher education journey today.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.