University of Nevada-Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Nevada-Las Vegas at a Glance
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public land-grant research university in Paradise, Nevada, United States. The 332-acre (134 ha) campus is about 1.6 mi (2.6 km) east of the Las Vegas Strip. It was formerly part of the University of Nevada from 1957 to 1969. It includes the Shadow Lane Campus, just east of the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, which houses the School of Medicine and School of Dental Medicine. UNLV's law school, the William S. Boyd School of Law, is the …
1957
69 years old
$471M
$470.85 million (2025)
31,142
25,795 undergrad · 4,282 grad
1,000
358 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Official admissions page$60
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas Worth It?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,359/year, it's priced 49% below average, while graduates go on to earn $55,037 — 2% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% 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.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Nevada-Las Vegas compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 66 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 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #23 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 67 | $10,359 | $55,037 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Nevada-Las Vegas's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Nevada-Las Vegas
The highest-earning program at University of Nevada-Las Vegas is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $19,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Nevada-Las Vegas earns $71,500, while a Anthropology graduate earns $19,300. 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 $16,666 in median debt vs. $24,987 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,359/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 | $71,500 | $71,500 | $16,666 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,000 | $64,000 | $25,742 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $22,993 |
| Civil Engineering | $59,100 | $59,100 | $24,500 |
| Computer Science | $56,800 | $56,800 | $17,725 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $54,200 | $54,200 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,300 | $46,300 | $18,775 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,300 | $43,300 | $19,317 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,200 | $41,200 | $19,400 |
| Economics | $40,700 | $40,700 | $22,491 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,000 | $40,000 | $18,788 |
| Social Work | $39,400 | $39,400 | $26,510 |
| Marketing | $39,100 | $39,100 | $16,200 |
| Public Administration | $38,900 | $38,900 | $22,673 |
| Music | $38,700 | $38,700 | $28,418 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,800 | $37,800 | $20,969 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $35,500 | $35,500 | $21,000 |
| Human Services, General | $35,400 | $35,400 | $23,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,700 | $34,700 | $16,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,700 | $34,700 | $18,990 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $21,110 |
| History | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,400 | $30,400 | $16,200 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $29,200 | $29,200 | $23,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $28,300 | $28,300 | $27,564 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $19,771 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $19,552 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,700 | $26,700 | $20,550 |
| Biology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $20,166 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,100 | $25,100 | $21,262 |
| Sociology | $22,800 | $22,800 | $22,393 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $16,625 |
| Anthropology | $19,300 | $19,300 | $24,987 |
Similar Colleges in NV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- Student Body
- 24,622 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,359
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,037
- Median Student Debt
- $19,450