Head-to-head comparison
University of Nevada-Las Vegas vs University of Nevada-Reno: 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 Reno, NV
University of Nevada-Reno
- Net price / year
- $15,927
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,614
- Payback
- 5.2 yrs
University of Nevada-Reno has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,708 in 5.2 years versus 6.2 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, on median earnings of $60,614 vs $55,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,359 | $15,927 |
| Total net cost | $41,436 | $63,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,037 | $60,614 |
| Median debt | $19,450 | $18,922 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $92,104 | $181,372 |
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 University of Nevada-Reno?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, at $10,359 a year after aid versus $15,927 — a gap of $5,568 a year, or $22,272 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 University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Reno graduates report a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $5,577 more than the $55,037 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. 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 University of Nevada-Reno?
University of Nevada-Reno: its completers carry a median $18,922 in federal loans versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a difference of $528. 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?
61% of students finish at University of Nevada-Reno, 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.