Head-to-head comparison
University of Nevada-Reno vs Chamberlain University-Nevada: 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
Chamberlain University-Nevada
- Net price / year
- $27,073
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 2.5 yrs
Chamberlain University-Nevada has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $108,292 in 2.5 years versus 5.2 years at University of Nevada-Reno, on median earnings of $92,405 vs $60,614 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Reno | Chamberlain University-Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,927 | $27,073 |
| Total net cost | $63,708 | $108,292 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,614 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $18,922 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 2.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $181,372 | $772,608 |
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 Chamberlain University-Nevada?
University of Nevada-Reno, at $15,927 a year after aid versus $27,073 — a gap of $11,146 a year, or $44,584 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 Chamberlain University-Nevada graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-Nevada graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $31,791 more than the $60,614 at University of Nevada-Reno. 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 Chamberlain University-Nevada?
University of Nevada-Reno: its completers carry a median $18,922 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-Nevada, a difference of $1,997. 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 20% at Chamberlain University-Nevada. 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.