Head-to-head · 2026
Nevada State University vs University of Nevada-Reno
Compare average net price ($14,068 at Nevada State University; $15,927 at University of Nevada-Reno), ROI score (9.45 vs 9.51), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,166 vs $60,614), and admissions selectivity (86.8% acceptance at Nevada State University; 73.7% at University of Nevada-Reno) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Nevada State University | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.45 | 9.51 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,068 ✓ | $15,927 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,272 ✓ | $63,708 |
| In-state tuition | $6,765 | $9,578 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,833 | $27,720 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,166 | $60,614 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 86.8% | 73.7% |
| Graduation rate | 33.6% | 61.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.8% | 79.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,691 | $18,922 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,762 | 15,599 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1132 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Nevada State University | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,438 ✓ | $12,674 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,084 ✓ | $13,125 |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,002 | $14,537 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,757 ✓ | $18,317 |
| Family income $110k+ | $21,125 ✓ | $21,646 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Nevada State University | University of Nevada-Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 45.2% | 4.5% |
| Psychology, General | 10.2% | 4.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.8% | 3.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.7% | 3.2% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 6.9% | 1.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.5% | 2.5% |
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Nevada State University reports the lower average net price by $1,859 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,436 difference over four years ($56,272 vs $63,708).
University of Nevada-Reno reports $7,448 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,614 vs $53,166). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.8% at Nevada State University and 79.7% at University of Nevada-Reno. Median federal debt among completers is $19,691 vs $18,922, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Nevada State University vs University of Nevada-Reno, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Nevada State University is cheaper — average net price $14,068 per year vs $15,927 at University of Nevada-Reno. The annual difference of $1,859 adds up to about $7,436 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Nevada-Reno reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,614 vs $53,166 at Nevada State University. The gap in the federal data is $7,448. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Nevada-Reno is more selective at 73.7% acceptance vs 86.8% at Nevada State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.