Great Basin College
Great Basin College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Great Basin College at a Glance
Great Basin College is a public college in Elko, Nevada, United States. Opened in 1967 as Elko College, it was later renamed to Northern Nevada College and then to its current name. It has 3,836 students and is a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
1967
59 years old
—
$899k
3,836
Identity
Is Great Basin College Worth It?
Great Basin College offers moderate value at $8,471/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $39,289, which is 27% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Great Basin College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #26 of 146 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #26 | Great Basin College | 53 | $8,471 | $39,289 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Great Basin College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NV.
Best Programs at Great Basin College
The highest-earning program at Great Basin College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $70,900/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Great Basin College earns $70,900, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $70,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,000 in median debt vs. $17,000 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,471/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,900 | $70,900 | $17,000 |
Similar Colleges in NV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Elko, NV
- Student Body
- 1,900 students
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,471
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $39,289
- Median Student Debt
- $15,750