Students at the University of Nevada-Reno achieve earnings outcomes that consistently exceed those at most public universities, with particularly strong results for low-income graduates who reach the 85th percentile nationally.
The combination of above-average earnings and reasonable net prices creates solid value for families seeking reliable long-term returns on their college investment.
Azimuth ranks the University of Nevada-Reno among the top quarter of public four-year institutions nationwide, reflecting its strong balance of earnings outcomes and affordability. The university stands out for delivering graduates who earn well above typical levels for public universities, with median 10-year earnings of $60,614 that place it in the 75th percentile nationally. Nearly 24% of students receive Pell Grants, and about 38% are first-generation college students, showing meaningful access despite its position as a "Selective Achievers" institution.
What makes Nevada-Reno particularly compelling is its combination of strong program diversity and solid financial outcomes across fields. The university excels in health sciences and nursing, where graduates see some of the highest earnings, while also maintaining substantial enrollment in psychology and liberal arts programs that provide broader educational pathways. As a large public research university in Nevada, it offers the academic breadth and resources of a major institution while delivering the kind of long-term financial returns that help justify the investment.
For families seeking a western public university that balances accessibility with strong career preparation, Nevada-Reno represents a solid choice. The institution's above-average performance in both earnings and affordability, combined with its research university resources and diverse program portfolio, makes it an attractive option for students who want comprehensive university experience with reliable post-graduation outcomes.
The University of Nevada-Reno's program portfolio demonstrates clear differentiation in career outcomes, with health sciences leading both enrollment and aggregate returns. The Health Services program graduates 344 students annually with median earnings around $35,653, creating substantial economic impact through sheer scale. Adult Health Nursing, while smaller with 144 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at approximately $69,161, reflecting the strong demand for nursing professionals in regional healthcare markets.
Psychology remains the university's largest single program with 227 graduates earning about $29,995, providing broad access to social science education while maintaining reasonable career prospects. Liberal arts fields like English Language and Literature show more modest early-career earnings around $25,484, but serve important educational missions and often lead to career paths that develop over longer time horizons.
The concentration in health-related fields reflects Nevada's growing healthcare sector and the university's strategic positioning in professional preparation. With nursing and health sciences representing significant portions of the graduate population, Nevada-Reno has built program strength that aligns with regional economic needs while providing students with clear pathways to stable, well-compensated careers. This focus on professional programs, balanced with traditional liberal arts offerings, creates a portfolio that serves diverse student interests while maintaining strong overall employment outcomes.
Graduates of the University of Nevada-Reno achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution well above typical public university performance. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $60,614, positioning the university in the 75th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This solid performance reflects both the university's diverse academic portfolio and its ability to prepare students for careers that offer meaningful earning potential across multiple fields.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its health sciences and nursing programs, which represent significant portions of the graduate population. Adult Health Nursing graduates earn approximately $69,161 early in their careers, while the broader Health Services program, with 344 graduates, generates substantial aggregate returns despite more moderate individual earnings around $35,653. Psychology remains the largest single program with 227 graduates earning about $29,995, while English Language and Literature graduates see more modest early-career earnings around $25,484. This range demonstrates how program choice significantly impacts financial outcomes, with health-focused fields providing the strongest immediate returns.
The university's location in Nevada provides graduates access to diverse regional job markets, from healthcare and education to emerging technology and service sectors. With over 3,500 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, Nevada-Reno demonstrates consistent ability to prepare students for well-paying careers across its program portfolio, making it a reliable choice for students seeking strong long-term financial outcomes from their college investment.
The University of Nevada-Reno maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay approximately $12,126 annually in net price, which represents solid value for a large public research university. Middle-income families see net costs around $15,116 per year, while higher-income students pay about $20,739 annually, creating a predictable pricing structure that helps families plan their college investment effectively.
Debt levels remain manageable for most Nevada-Reno graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $18,922 upon graduation. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $22,000, reflecting moderate family contribution levels that align with the university's middle-tier pricing structure. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully after leaving school.
What makes Nevada-Reno particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students borrow and what they ultimately earn. With median 10-year earnings of $60,614, most graduates can comfortably manage their debt obligations under standard repayment terms. The university's loan repayment trajectory shows that borrowers make steady progress reducing their balances, with strong performance compared to national benchmarks for balance reduction and borrower success rates over the first several years after graduation.
University Of Nevada-Reno Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
