4 Best Colleges in Nevada
What’s Covered:
Thinking of going to college in Nevada? Although there aren’t a huge number of institutions of higher education in the state, that doesn’t mean there aren’t several excellent options. Keep reading to learn about the Silver State’s top colleges.
Our Ranking Methodology
In determining these rankings, we focused on school quality, outcomes, and ROI. We examined data such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among many others. View our full rankings.
Best Colleges in Nevada
1. University of Nevada, Reno
Location: Reno
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1070-1280/21-26
Undergrad Enrollment: 17,900
Founded in 1874, UNR was created as Nevada’s land-grant institution. Today, Nevada’s flagship public university offers more than 145 undergraduate programs across a large number of colleges and schools, such as the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering, and the School of Arts. UNR is also home to Nevada’s first medical school.
UNR boasts an “innovation ecosystem” with community partnerships. Additionally, there are more than 254 student organizations. The Wolf Pack competes in NCAA Division I.
Learn more about UNR and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas | UNLV
Location: Las Vegas
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1030-1240/19-24
Undergrad Enrollment: 25,200
In its relatively short history, UNLV has become a major research institution. The university prides itself on its diversity — it was the first four-year institution in Nevada to reach a Hispanic enrollment of 25%, and 28.8% of the student body is first-generation.
UNLV offers more than 300 majors, and students can use the unique “SkillsMatch” feature to identify their skills and get personalized course and career path recommendations. The university prizes global, community, and service learning, offering innovative opportunities to gain experience.
Learn more about UNLV and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Sierra Nevada College
Location: Incline Village
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1020-1190/18-23
Undergrad Enrollment: 300
Established in 1969, SNU maintains a small, tight-knit community on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The liberal arts college offers 30 undergraduate majors and concentrations across Business, Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Science & Technology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. It also has master’s degree programs in education, creative writing, and interdisciplinary arts.
SNU is Nevada’s only accredited, private, four-year institution. The school is driven by its mission and core curriculum, which underscore the importance of environmental, social, economic, and educational sustainability.
Learn more about Sierra Nevada and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Great Basin College
Location: Elko
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,400
A member of the University of Nevada system, GBC is a “safe space” to cultivate ideas and grow academically and personally. The college offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, along with a one-year Certificate of Achievement program. Disciplines include Natural Resources, Social Science, Geomatics, Management and Supervision, Nursing, and Social Work.
GBC also offers distance education classes that demand the same academic rigor as face-to-face courses.
Learn more about GBC and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
What are your chances of getting into these and other colleges and universities? Find out with our free chancing engine. Not only will you learn your real odds of admission, but you’ll also receive tips on how to improve your profile for success.