Reno, NV · Private University
Is University of Nevada-Reno Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,614
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,994
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$25,950
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$103,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.34x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
62.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,922
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,402
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn $15,614 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Nevada-Reno ranked by graduate earnings
106 graduates
35 graduates
181 graduates
168 graduates
79 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Nevada-Reno
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Nevada-Reno, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $90,442) and the lowest (Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management: $31,366) is $59,076/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $90,442 | 3.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $86,398 | 3.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $84,156 | 3.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,458 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,239 | 3.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $72,038 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,116 | 2.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $67,089 | 2.6x |
| Mathematics | $66,313 | 2.6x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $65,194 | 2.5x |
| Social Work | $63,320 | 2.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $61,782 | 2.4x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $56,341 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $55,352 | 2.1x |
| International Business | $54,544 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,341 | 2.1x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $53,079 | 2.0x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $52,731 | 2.0x |
| Criminology | $52,013 | 2.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $50,108 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,053 | 1.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $48,897 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $48,891 | 1.9x |
| Journalism | $48,589 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,924 | 1.9x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $47,766 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $47,544 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,210 | 1.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $47,147 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,534 | 1.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $45,017 | 1.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,253 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $42,799 | 1.6x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $42,343 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $41,750 | 1.6x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $39,752 | 1.5x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $39,738 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $39,614 | 1.5x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $39,553 | 1.5x |
| History | $39,351 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $37,028 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,936 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology | $35,254 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,394 | 1.3x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementLowest | $31,366 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Nevada-Reno stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $60,614 10 years after starting, $15,614 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.