USF vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA with University of Nevada Reno in Reno, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Reno is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (23,024 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

USF vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Reno than USF ($17,226 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 26.7% lower than at University of San Francisco ($14,496 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 531.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $50,914 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.2% higher at USF than at University of Nevada Reno (about $32,772 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of Nevada Reno (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 370.8% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($34,723 vs. $7,375).

USF vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 110 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming USF students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

USF vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF and University of Nevada-Reno? 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).

• University of San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $6,199 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($18,801 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($194 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 64%)

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.