Nevada State University
Nevada State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Nevada State University at a Glance
Nevada State University (NSU), formerly Nevada State College, is a public college in Henderson, Nevada, United States. It is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and opened on September 3, 2002, as Nevada's first state college. The university is a designated Minority Serving Institute, Hispanic Serving Institution, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution. Its main campus is located on a 509-acre (206 ha) site in the southern foothills of Henderson.
2002
24 years old
7,283
Identity
Is Nevada State University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Nevada State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,166 — 1% below average — while paying $14,068/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Nevada State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Nevada State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #141 of 174 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #6 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #141 | Nevada State University | 30 | $14,068 | $53,166 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Nevada State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NV.
Best Programs at Nevada State University
The highest-earning program at Nevada State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $27,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Nevada State University earns $69,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $27,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. 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 $28,141 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,068/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 | $69,800 | $69,800 | $28,141 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,500 | $47,500 | $24,709 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in NV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Henderson, NV
- Student Body
- 3,762 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,068
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,166
- Median Student Debt
- $19,691