Students at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas benefit from one of the strongest mobility outcomes in the country, with low-income graduates achieving earnings that place the university in the top tier nationally.
The combination of broad access, strong affordability, and reliable long-term outcomes makes UNLV an exceptional choice for students seeking economic advancement through higher education.
Azimuth ranks the University of Nevada-Las Vegas 183rd out of 730 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the 75th percentile for overall value. What distinguishes UNLV is its role as a "Mobility Engine" — an institution that combines broad access with strong upward mobility outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds. More than 40% of students receive Pell Grants and 42% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve solid long-term earnings that support meaningful economic advancement.
UNLV delivers particularly strong value through its combination of affordability and outcomes. Low-income students pay just $8,024 annually after aid, well below national averages, while graduates earn a median of $55,037 ten years after enrollment. The university's 50% six-year graduation rate, combined with strong earnings for low-income graduates, demonstrates its effectiveness at converting access into economic opportunity.
As Nevada's largest public research university, UNLV offers the academic breadth and urban connections that students need to build careers in the rapidly growing Las Vegas metropolitan area. The university's strength in hospitality management, nursing, business, and psychology provides pathways into stable, well-paying careers while maintaining the accessibility that makes higher education possible for students from all economic backgrounds.
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers a diverse program portfolio that reflects both the university's comprehensive mission and Nevada's economic landscape. Psychology leads enrollment with 368 graduates annually, providing a foundation for careers in human services, education, and graduate study, though early earnings around $29,092 reflect the field's varied career pathways. The university's signature strength in hospitality management, including specialized programs like brewery operations, produces 522 graduates earning solid mid-career salaries around $42,073 — outcomes that align well with Las Vegas's position as a global entertainment and hospitality destination.
Nursing represents UNLV's highest-earning program, with 155 graduates achieving median earnings of $75,313 ten years out. This reflects both the strong demand for healthcare professionals in Nevada and the university's success in preparing students for high-value careers in medical fields. The program's combination of substantial enrollment and strong outcomes makes it a key driver of the university's overall return on investment.
UNLV's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that align with regional economic opportunities. While some programs like film production show more modest early earnings around $22,055, the university's strength lies in providing accessible pathways into stable, middle-class careers across diverse fields. The breadth of offerings, from healthcare to hospitality to social sciences, ensures that students can find programs that match their interests while leading to sustainable long-term employment in Nevada's growing economy.
Graduates of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that support meaningful career advancement. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $55,037, positioning the university at the 51st percentile nationally for graduate earnings. While this represents moderate performance compared to flagship institutions, it reflects strong value given UNLV's broad access mission and the economic opportunities available in Nevada's growing job market.
The university's program mix drives varied but generally positive outcomes across fields. Nursing stands out with graduates earning $75,313 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals in Las Vegas. The university's signature hospitality management programs, including brewery operations, produce graduates earning around $42,073 — solid outcomes for an industry central to Nevada's economy. Psychology, the university's largest major with 368 graduates, leads to more modest early earnings around $29,092 but provides a foundation for diverse career paths including graduate study and human services roles.
UNLV's return on investment becomes particularly compelling when viewed through the lens of accessibility and regional context. The university successfully prepares students for careers in Nevada's key industries — hospitality, healthcare, business, and education — while maintaining affordability that makes higher education accessible to first-generation and working-class students who might otherwise be priced out of four-year degrees.
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas delivers strong affordability across all income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay just $8,024 annually after aid, significantly below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families see net costs around $10,529 per year. Even high-income families pay a reasonable $15,555 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education accessible regardless of family financial circumstances.
Debt levels remain manageable for most UNLV graduates. Typical students leave with $19,450 in federal loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's graduate earning potential. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,348, indicating that many families can cover a substantial portion of costs through grants, work-study, and savings rather than relying heavily on borrowing. The university's 0% federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes UNLV particularly sustainable financially is how well its affordability aligns with post-graduation earning capacity. With median earnings of $55,037 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building their careers in Nevada's growing economy. The combination of low upfront costs and reliable long-term outcomes creates a financial pathway that works for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
