Head-to-head comparison
University of Nevada-Reno vs Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: which has better ROI?
Option A Reno, NV
University of Nevada-Reno
- Net price / year
- $15,927
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,614
- Payback
- 5.2 yrs
Option B Las Vegas, NV
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas
- Net price / year
- $16,571
- Earnings, 10 years
- $30,803
- Payback
- No payback
University of Nevada-Reno has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,708 in 5.2 years versus not at all at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas, on median earnings of $60,614 vs $30,803 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Reno | Avalon Institute-Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,927 | $16,571 |
| Total net cost | $63,708 | $66,284 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,614 | $30,803 |
| Median debt | $18,922 | $6,332 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $181,372 | -$417,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Nevada-Reno or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?
University of Nevada-Reno, at $15,927 a year after aid versus $16,571 — a gap of $644 a year, or $2,576 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-Reno or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Reno graduates report a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $29,811 more than the $30,803 at Avalon Institute-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-Reno or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: its completers carry a median $6,332 in federal loans versus $18,922 at University of Nevada-Reno, a difference of $12,590. 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?
84% of students finish at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas, against 61% at University of Nevada-Reno. 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.