Head-to-head comparison
University of Nevada-Reno vs Nevada State University: 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 Henderson, NV
Nevada State University
- Net price / year
- $14,068
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,166
- Payback
- 11.7 yrs
University of Nevada-Reno has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,708 in 5.2 years versus 11.7 years at Nevada State University, on median earnings of $60,614 vs $53,166 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nevada-Reno | Nevada State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,927 | $14,068 |
| Total net cost | $63,708 | $56,272 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,614 | $53,166 |
| Median debt | $18,922 | $19,691 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 11.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $181,372 | $39,848 |
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 Nevada State University?
Nevada State University, at $14,068 a year after aid versus $15,927 — a gap of $1,859 a year, or $7,436 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 Nevada State University graduates earn more?
University of Nevada-Reno graduates report a median $60,614 ten years after entry, $7,448 more than the $53,166 at Nevada State University. 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 Nevada State University?
University of Nevada-Reno: its completers carry a median $18,922 in federal loans versus $19,691 at Nevada State University, a difference of $769. 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 34% at Nevada State University. 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.