At $15,402/yr net price, University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn $60,614/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,614/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,402 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,614/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,614/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,922 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,126/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,482/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,116/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,042/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,739/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. | Master | $104,192 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $82,440 | $30,115 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $79,284 | |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,161 | $19,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,473 | $21,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,324 | $17,250 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $66,461 | $41,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $66,169 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,011 | $21,955 |
The Risk Factor
62.4% of students at University of Nevada-Reno graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Nevada-Reno gives you a solid financial return. You pay about $15,400 a year net, carry under $19,000 in median debt, and earn just over $60,000 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy, and graduating with less debt than one year of typical earnings puts you in a comfortable spot to pay it back.
The engineering and nursing programs are where the money is. Mining and mineral engineering tops the list, which fits Nevada's mining economy directly, so a degree there connects to real local demand. Nursing pays nearly as much and Reno's hospital market keeps that demand steady. Computer and electrical engineering land in the same range. Mechanical engineering pays the least of the five and pairs its lower salary with one of the higher debt loads at almost $22,000, so it is the weakest bet among the engineering options here.
The risk is what these numbers do not cover. The programs listed pay well, but the school's $60,600 median across all majors is well below any single engineering or nursing figure. That gap means plenty of other majors here earn far less, and the 62% graduation rate means close to four in ten students do not finish in the measured window. Debt without a degree is the real danger.
This school works well for you if you enter targeting engineering, mining, or nursing and you finish. If you are undecided or leaning toward lower-paying fields, the payoff thins out fast.
On price, families under $48,000 pay around $12,000 to $12,500, while families over $110,000 pay about $20,700. The jump is real but not extreme, and the low-income net price stays close to the lowest tier, so cost scales reasonably with what your family can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Nevada-Reno worth the cost?
University of Nevada-Reno offers reasonable value with a net price of $15,402 and median debt of $18,922, but the 10-year earnings of $60,614 are below average for college graduates. The ROI depends heavily on your major, with nursing and business programs showing much stronger returns than the overall average.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Nevada-Reno?
Nursing leads with $104,192 in median earnings, followed by business administration at $82,440 and computer science at $79,284. Mining engineering also pays well at $69,338, reflecting Nevada's industry strengths.
How much debt do University of Nevada-Reno graduates typically have?
The median debt is $18,922, which is manageable compared to many universities. However, with overall graduate earnings of $60,614, students should focus on higher-paying programs to ensure good debt-to-income ratios.
Does University of Nevada-Reno have good graduation rates?
The 62.40% graduation rate is concerning and below the national average. This means nearly 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree, which significantly hurts ROI for those who accumulate debt without graduating.