CSN vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Southern Nevada is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (28,313 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Southern Nevada is located in Las Vegas, NV (Large City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of Southern Nevada is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Nevada 18:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

CSN vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSN or WNC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Southern Nevada than WNC ($7,205 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Southern Nevada are 25.8% lower than at Western Nevada College ($13,200 vs. $17,788).
• College of Southern Nevada is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $190 more per year; $4,358.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at CSN than at Western Nevada College (about $190 more per year; $13,024.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at College of Southern Nevada (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Nevada College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by College of Southern Nevada students ($5,874 vs. $5,734).

CSN vs. WNC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSN or WNC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WNC and CSN.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSN - Open admission; WNC - Open admission.

CSN vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSN and WNC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from College of Southern Nevada earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Nevada graduates have a $816 lower median loan debt than WNC graduates ($10,500 vs. $11,316).
• Among borrowers, CSN graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WNC graduates ($108 vs. $117).
• More WNC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSN students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.