At $10,011/yr net price, University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn $55,037/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,037/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,011 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,044 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,037/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,037/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,450 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,024/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,679/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,529/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,169/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,555/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $117,572 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $106,421 | $317,068 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $99,683 | $34,991 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $90,856 | $41,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $84,653 | $45,094 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $81,433 | $93,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $75,313 | $19,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Master | $73,949 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $72,177 | $82,985 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,296 | $24,896 |
The Risk Factor
50.1% of students at University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
UNLV gives you a low-cost path to a degree with returns that depend heavily on your major. At about $10,000 a year net price and a median debt of $19,450, you take on manageable debt, and the typical graduate earns $55,037 a decade out. The problem is the 50% graduation rate. If you don't finish, you carry the loans without the degree that pays them off, and that risk is real here.
Your major decides everything. Nursing pays the most at $75,313 for graduates who took on almost identical debt to everyone else, making it the clearest win on campus. The engineering programs follow close behind, with electrical engineering at $70,296. Civil and mechanical engineering and computer science all clear the school median comfortably. These five programs justify the cost. UNLV sits in a service and tourism economy, so the nursing and engineering pipelines into Las Vegas hospitals and infrastructure work in your favor.
No bachelor-level data is listed for the school's many liberal arts, hospitality, and business majors, so you can't assume those match the earnings above. If you enroll outside nursing or engineering, budget on the median or below and plan accordingly.
The net price tiers stay affordable across incomes. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $8,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay about $15,555, still low for a four-year public school. Every income band gets a reasonable deal here.
UNLV fits you if you're aiming for nursing or engineering and can commit to finishing. The low cost cushions the risk, but the coin-flip graduation rate means the biggest financial danger isn't tuition, it's leaving without the degree. If you're undecided or drawn to a lower-earning field, weigh that carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Nevada-Las Vegas worth the cost?
UNLV offers decent value with a low net price of $10,011 annually and median debt of $19,450. However, the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who leave without a degree.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Nevada-Las Vegas?
Nursing and dentistry programs at UNLV lead earnings, with nursing graduates earning around $99,000-$117,000 and dentistry graduates earning $106,000. Business administration graduates earn about $91,000, while other programs typically earn closer to the school average of $55,000.
How much debt do University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates have?
UNLV graduates carry a median debt of $19,450, which is manageable compared to many schools. The low in-state tuition keeps borrowing reasonable for most students who complete their degrees.
Does University of Nevada-Las Vegas have good job prospects after graduation?
UNLV graduates earn an average of $55,037 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance. Job prospects vary significantly by major, with healthcare and business programs offering the strongest earning potential.