UNLV vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Las Vegas 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.

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (32,911 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

UNLV vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas than WNC ($11,553 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 29% lower than at Western Nevada College ($12,628 vs. $17,788).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is 133.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $5,580 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.6% higher at UNLV than at Western Nevada College (about $14,577 more per year; $27,411.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at Western Nevada College (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students is 31.4% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($7,717 vs. $5,874).

UNLV vs. WNC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNLV - Test optional; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027.

UNLV vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNLV 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $7,702 lower median loan debt than UNLV graduates ($11,316 vs. $19,018).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNLV graduates ($117 vs. $196).
• More UNLV graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.