University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,037 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $10,359 B
- 40% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 36.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,486,353.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Nevada-Las Vegas Matters
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public research university in Las Vegas, NV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 24,622
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Health Professions
Why students choose University of Nevada-Las Vegas
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,359 a year after grants and scholarships — 40% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,037 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $19,450 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.47 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a welcoming option for many students looking to pursue a degree in fields like Business, Psychology, Education, Health Professions, or Visual and Performing Arts. This school is particularly suited for those who appreciate the vibrancy of Las Vegas and want to immerse themselves in a diverse learning environment. The large enrollment of over 24,000 students means you'll find a variety of perspectives and experiences to enrich your education.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $55,037 within ten years. This figure gives a glimpse into what life can look like post-college, especially for those stepping into industries like business or health. Affordability plays a role here too—the net price after aid is about $10,359, which makes it a reasonable choice for many. With 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is accessible to those who may need financial support.
In terms of financial responsibility, the median debt for graduates stands at $19,450. This is manageable for many, especially given the earning potential. Students who thrive here often appreciate an environment that prioritizes accessibility and diversity, allowing them to form connections and grow professionally. If you're looking for a place to launch your career while enjoying the unique culture of Las Vegas, UNLV could be a fitting choice.
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Nevada-Las Vegas is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, University of Nevada-Las Vegas admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,094. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1094
- SAT Range
- 1010–1240
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,197
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
- Applicants
- 13,275
- Admitted
- 11,325
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Nevada-Las Vegas is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 36% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 36%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 9%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 65%
- of enrolled freshmen
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nevada-Las Vegas is $27,411, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,359. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,526 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,450 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,748
- Out-of-State
- $27,411
- Avg Net Price
- $10,359
- Median Debt
- $19,450
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 26%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,526
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,537
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,606
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,905
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Nevada-Las Vegas — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nevada-Las Vegas earn a median of $55,037, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,865
- 8 Years
- $49,396
- 10 Years
- $55,037
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (638)
- 17%
- 100% (638)
- 17%
- 100% (638)
- 17%
- 100% (638)
- 17%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Nevada-Las Vegas delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,359/year ($41,436 total). Graduates earn $55,037 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,527,789 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,486,353 (36.9× your investment). The median debt is $19,450, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $41,436
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,527,789
- Net Return
- $1,486,353
- ROI Multiple
- 36.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,359
- Median Debt
- $19,450
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-35,337,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Nevada-Las Vegas awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 21% $59,766 early-career
- Psychology 10% $34,567 early-career
- Education 10% $52,823 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $89,486 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $46,350 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $71,223 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $43,569 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $31,159 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Nevada-Las Vegas's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, University of Nevada-Las Vegas admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,094. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nevada-Las Vegas is $27,411, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,359. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,526 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,450 in federal student loans.
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nevada-Las Vegas earn a median of $55,037, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Nevada-Las Vegas offer Early Decision?
No. University of Nevada-Las Vegas does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas really test-optional?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 74% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Nevada-Las Vegas?
About 36% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Nevada-Las Vegas — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX · Close peer48% grad $50,923 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX · Close peer52% grad $57,131 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-FresnoFresno, CA · Close peer56% grad $61,244 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · Close peer56% grad $64,876 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · Close peer53% grad $53,236 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note