University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) vs University of Nevada-Reno (UNR)
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of Las Vegas and the scenic town of Reno, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) stand as two distinct pillars of higher education in the Silver State. While both institutions share the common goal of providing quality education, they offer unique experiences shaped by their contrasting locations, academic strengths, and student demographics. UNLV boasts a diverse student body and a bustling urban campus, while UNR offers a more traditional college town atmosphere with a focus on research and graduate programs. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, and graduation outcomes, UNLV and UNR cater to different aspirations and learning styles. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences, ensuring you make an informed decision that sets you on the path to success.
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![]() University of Nevada-Las Vegas |
![]() University of Nevada-Reno |
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Overview |
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Location | Las Vegas, Nevada | Reno, Nevada |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 77.0% | 78.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.5% | 88.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 1060 - 1270 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 13,025 | 9,421 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,873 | 8,306 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,125 | 3,412 |
Yield rate | 37.9% | 41.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,003
Out of state:
$44,094
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In state:
$26,796
Out of state:
$42,888
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Average net price | $13,030 | $16,398 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,949
Out of state:
$24,040
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In state:
$7,470
Out of state:
$23,562
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,880
Meal plan:
$5,456
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Room/dormitory:
$5,850
Meal plan:
$5,792
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $6,217 |
86.0%
Average amount $7,232 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
21.0%
Average amount $5,000 |
29.0%
Average amount $5,001 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $17,424 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,013 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
25,312
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
17,025
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
5,367
Men 40.8% Women 59.2% |
4,009
Men 39.3% Women 60.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 26.1% |
International students | 2.7% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,850 | 3,524 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Nevada California Hawaii Oregon Washington |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.2% | 62.7% |
Dropout rate | 44.5% | 34.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Hospitality Administration/Management (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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