Menlo vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Nevada College is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (4,284 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Menlo College 14:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

Menlo vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo 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 Western Nevada College than Menlo ($14,929 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Nevada College are 2.5% lower than at Menlo College ($17,788 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 1,186.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $49,462 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 317.9% higher at Menlo than at Western Nevada College (about $40,796 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at Western Nevada College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 566.9% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($39,174 vs. $5,874).

Menlo vs. WNC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo 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 Menlo.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.

Menlo vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo 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 Menlo College earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $9,746 lower median loan debt than Menlo graduates ($11,316 vs. $21,062).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Menlo graduates ($117 vs. $217).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.