UNLV vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Should I go to University of Nevada Las Vegas or University of Nevada Reno? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNLV or University of Nevada-Reno is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Nevada Las Vegas vs. University of Nevada Reno comparison
University of Nevada Las Vegas University of Nevada Reno College 3 College 4
University of Nevada Las Vegas University of Nevada Reno
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Overview

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Location Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 31,094 21,778
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #652 #400
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unlv.edu unr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Tuition (In State) $8,354 $7,876
Tuition (Out of State) $25,310 $24,832
Room & Board $12,072 $13,700
Avg Net Price $11,388 $16,801
Avg Grant Aid $7,580 $6,658
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 92%

Admission

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,232 10,142
Admitted 11,774 8,652
Acceptance Rate 96.3% 85.3%
Enrolled % 38.9% 39.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 980/1230 1060/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026 Apr 7, 2026

Academics

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Graduation Rate 40% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,018 $18,801
Median Loan Payment $196 $194

Diversity

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 10% 11%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 35% 60%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 26% 19%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 9% 6%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
% In-State 85% 75%
% Out-of-State 14% 24%

Campus

UNLV University of Nevada-Reno
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (31,094 students vs. 21,778 students)

UNLV vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV or University of Nevada-Reno?

  • University of Nevada Las Vegas is 6.1% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($8,354.00 vs. $7,876.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.9% higher at UNLV than University of Nevada Reno ($25,310.00 vs. $24,832.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nevada Las Vegas than University of Nevada-Reno ($11,388 vs. $16,801)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 13.5% lower than costs at University of Nevada Reno ($12,072 vs. $13,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than University of Nevada Las Vegas (92% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students is 13.8% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($7,580 vs. $6,658)

UNLV vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV or University of Nevada-Reno? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Nevada-Reno or UNLV .

  • The average SAT score at University of Nevada Reno (1084) is 77 points higher than at UNLV (1007)
  • Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at UNLV (22)
  • Accepted freshman UNLV students have at the same average high school GPA (3.4) as students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4)
  • UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than University of Nevada-Reno (85.3%)

UNLV vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNLV or University of Nevada-Reno? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Nevada-Reno and UNLV.

  • The graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno is higher than University of Nevada Las Vegas (51% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $5,800 more per year than UNLV graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $47,600)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $217 lower median federal student loan debt than UNLV graduates. ($18,801 vs. $19,018)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than UNLV graduates. ($194 vs. $196)
  • More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/