Head-to-head comparison
University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs Northwest Career College: which has better ROI?
Option A Las Vegas, NV
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- Net price / year
- $10,359
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,037
- Payback
- 6.2 yrs
Option B Las Vegas, NV
Northwest Career College
- Net price / year
- $16,470
- Earnings, 10 years
- $27,530
- Payback
- No payback
University of Nevada-Las Vegas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,436 in 6.2 years versus not at all at Northwest Career College, on median earnings of $55,037 vs $27,530 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Northwest Career College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,359 | $16,470 |
| Total net cost | $41,436 | $65,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,037 | $27,530 |
| Median debt | $19,450 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $92,104 | -$482,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, at $10,359 a year after aid versus $16,470 — a gap of $6,111 a year, or $24,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates report a median $55,037 ten years after entry, $27,507 more than the $27,530 at Northwest Career College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Nevada-Las Vegas or Northwest Career College?
Northwest Career College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a difference of $9,950. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Northwest Career College, against 51% at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.