Western Nevada College
- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,987 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,732 B-
- 26% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,910
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $925,110.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 39% — 32% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,910
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Precision Production, Physical Sciences, Health Professions
Why students choose Western Nevada College
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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,732 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,987 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 65% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.96 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,910 students, Western Nevada College caters to individuals seeking a practical education in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business, and Precision Production. The focus here is not just on obtaining a degree, but also on equipping students with skills that are directly applicable to the job market. This means that if you’re looking for a place that prioritizes hands-on learning and immediate career readiness, WNC could be a solid fit.
Looking at life after graduation, students from Western Nevada College can expect to earn around $41,987 within ten years of completing their studies. This figure showcases the potential for upward mobility, especially for those who take advantage of the college's programs. Affordability is another important consideration; with a median debt of $10,500, graduates can manage their financial futures without being overwhelmed by student loans.
On the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $12,732, which is quite manageable for many students. The 18% Pell Grant rate indicates that there’s some financial support available for those who qualify, making it easier for students from diverse economic backgrounds to attend. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a community-oriented environment and are motivated to gain skills that will translate into real-world opportunities.
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Nevada College 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 Western Nevada College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Carson City, Nevada, Western Nevada College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,883
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 54%
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 Western Nevada College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Nevada College is $12,834, 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 $12,732. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,168
- Out-of-State
- $12,834
- Avg Net Price
- $12,732
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,678
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,828
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,359
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,645
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Nevada College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Nevada College report median earnings of $41,987, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,917
- 8 Years
- $40,368
- 10 Years
- $41,987
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Nevada College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Nevada College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,732/year ($50,928 total). Graduates earn $41,987 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $976,038 in total earnings — a net gain of $925,110 (19.2× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $50,928
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $976,038
- Net Return
- $925,110
- ROI Multiple
- 19.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,732
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Nevada College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Nevada College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.21%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $62,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $309,000
- Federal Grants
- $2,768,000
- Investment Income
- $-2,024,000
Top Programs
The fields Western Nevada College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 30%
- Precision Production 16%
- Physical Sciences 13%
- Health Professions 12%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Construction Trades 7%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Criminal Justice 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Nevada College'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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Nevada College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Carson City, Nevada, Western Nevada College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Nevada College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Nevada College is $12,834, 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 $12,732. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is Western Nevada College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Nevada College report median earnings of $41,987, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Western Nevada College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Nevada College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Nevada College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Western Nevada College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.96, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Nevada College.
- Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph, MO · Close peer39% grad $42,647 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kent State University at TuscarawasNew Philadelphia, OH · Close peer37% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Feather River Community College DistrictQuincy, CA · Close peer40% grad $38,142 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY MorrisvilleMorrisville, NY · Close peer30% grad $43,295 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Texas A&M University-TexarkanaTexarkana, TX · Close peer30% grad $45,515 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatchee, WA · Close peer41% grad $41,127 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Nevada College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Western Nevada College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.96, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note