Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Nevada-Reno vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and health sciences delivering the strongest earnings while education and social sciences emphasize different career pathways. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 47 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for national rankings, earnings performance, or exceptional value scores.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs by earnings, national and state rankings, cohort sizes, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Nevada-Reno.
Engineering programs at University of Nevada-Reno deliver the institution's strongest earnings outcomes, with Computer Engineering leading at $90,442 and Mechanical Engineering producing $77,239. Civil Engineering graduates earn $72,038, while Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $61,782.
These programs consistently rank #1 in Nevada within their fields, demonstrating state-level leadership. Engineering graduates benefit from excellent debt affordability with payments under 8% of discretionary income, making these high-earning paths financially sustainable for most students.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | — | $96,291 |
Program rankings reflect graduate earnings outcomes and debt levels based on federal College Scorecard data, not academic reputation or prestige measures. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career markets, graduate school continuation rates, and industry compensation structures vary significantly by field. Engineering and health sciences typically command higher starting salaries, while education and social service programs emphasize public benefit careers with different compensation patterns. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported outcomes. Value scores combine earnings and debt data to assess return on investment, helping students understand which programs deliver the strongest financial outcomes relative to educational costs incurred.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| — |
| 57 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $88,460 | $32,000 | 135 |
| Chemical Engineering. | — | $84,965 | — | 31 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.Small sample | — | $83,233 | — | 17 |
| Civil Engineering. | — | $81,201 | $19,304 | 64 |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering.Small sample | — | $78,079 | — | 9 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $77,237 | — | 94 |
Business programs demonstrate varied outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $67,089 and Accounting Technology producing $69,116. Digital Marketing graduates earn $55,352 while ranking #90 nationally, and Business/Commerce General graduates earn $52,731.
Multiple business programs hold #1 rankings in Nevada, indicating state-level strength. Business graduates generally achieve excellent to good affordability ratings, with debt payments ranging from under 8% to 8-12% of discretionary income depending on specific program selection.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $85,943★ | $35,577 | 80 |
| International Business. | — | $76,236 | — | 34 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $72,227 | $26,057 | 152 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | — | $68,419 | $42,758 | 158 |
| Marketing. | — | $67,914 | $19,304 | 174 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $59,014 | — | 61 |
Health programs show strong career outcomes with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earning $80,458 and Health Services/Allied Health graduates earning $50,108. The Health Services program ranks #26 nationally and represents the university's largest program with 344 graduates, indicating both quality and institutional commitment.
Nursing programs rank #164 nationally but #2 in Nevada, reflecting solid regional positioning. Health graduates achieve excellent affordability ratings with debt payments under 8% of discretionary income, supporting long-term career sustainability in healthcare fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $97,949★ | $49,448 | 168 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | — | $59,896 | — | 59 |
Biology programs produce graduates earning $48,891, ranking #164 nationally but #2 in Nevada, indicating solid regional positioning for students pursuing scientific careers. These programs serve as preparation for both direct workforce entry and graduate school continuation, with approximately 25% of university graduates pursuing advanced study.
Science graduates achieve good affordability ratings with debt payments of 8-12% of discretionary income, supporting career paths that may include extended education or research-focused roles.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | — | $70,681★ | — | 60 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. | — | $66,355 | — | 36 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | — | $63,239 | — | 39 |
| Biology, General. | — | $59,715 | $31,440 | 177 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | — | $57,769 | — | 90 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | — | $44,971 | — | 20 |
| Chemistry.Small sample | — | $29,685 | — | 18 |
Social sciences programs emphasize public service pathways, with Forensic Social Work ranking #2 nationally and delivering exceptional value at $63,320 median earnings. Criminology ranks #18 nationally with graduates earning $52,013, demonstrating strong program quality in law enforcement preparation.
Psychology graduates earn $42,799, reflecting typical outcomes for this field nationally. These programs serve students prioritizing social impact careers, with debt affordability ranging from good to manageable depending on specific program focus and career trajectory.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography and Cartography.Small sample | — | $74,864★ | — | 15 |
| Criminology.Small sample | — | $66,273 | $55,518 | 18 |
| Social Work. | — | $60,320 | — | 112 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | — | $58,002 | — | 35 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $55,483 | — | 89 |
| Sociology. | — | $52,564 | — | 48 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $51,553 | $40,728 | 223 |
| Anthropology. | — | $48,607 | — | 35 |
| Economics. | — | $47,766 | — | 58 |
Broadcast Journalism graduates earn $48,589 while ranking #23 nationally and #1 in Nevada, demonstrating exceptional program quality and regional leadership. The program achieves a strong value score of 79.6, indicating favorable outcomes relative to debt levels.
Communications graduates benefit from good debt affordability with payments of 8-12% of discretionary income, supporting careers in media and journalism that may involve varied compensation structures and geographic mobility requirements.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $68,953★ | — | 58 |
| Journalism. | — | $54,322 | $20,953 | 101 |
Limited data available for traditional humanities programs at University of Nevada-Reno, with most liberal arts concentrations integrated into interdisciplinary or applied programs. Students interested in humanities should examine programs in education, communications, or social sciences that incorporate liberal arts foundations with career-focused applications.
The university's comprehensive program portfolio provides pathways for students with humanities interests through professionally oriented degree combinations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History. | — | $55,230★ | — | 59 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | — | $52,501 | — | 45 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | — | $51,433 | — | 51 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | — | $45,095 | — | 77 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | — | $41,074 | — | 42 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Small sample | — | $25,774 | — | 9 |
| Music.Small sample | — | $24,035 | — | 9 |
Adult and Continuing Education graduates earn $47,924, ranking #45 nationally and #2 in Nevada, demonstrating strong program performance in teacher preparation. Adult Development and Aging graduates earn $42,343 while ranking #28 nationally, indicating specialized strength in this growing field.
Education programs serve students committed to teaching and human services careers, with manageable debt affordability at 12-18% of discretionary income reflecting the public service nature of these career paths.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $55,532★ | — | 93 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | — | $47,544 | — | 69 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research. leads agriculture & environment with 56K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | — | $55,528★ | — | 43 |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs. | — | $52,481 | — | 33 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | — | $46,171 | — | 34 |
| Forestry.Small sample | — | $39,927 | — | 18 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. leads other & interdisciplinary with 52K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | — | $52,084 | $32,000 | 103 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
