The 6 cheapest colleges in Nevada (we did the math!)
Discover the cheapest colleges in Nevada that offer a quality education for an affordable price.
When deciding which colleges to apply for, cost often plays a major role. Things like a scenic campus, modern residence halls, and plenty of student organizations and activities are nice to have, but if the cost to attend a school is out of budget, none of the extra perks really matter.
Fortunately, there are several colleges in Nevada offering an excellent education at an affordable price. We researched all the Silver State’s top higher education institutions and put together a roundup of the most affordable options based on tuition information for the 2024-2025 academic year. We considered public schools that offer bachelor’s degrees and have a physical location in Nevada.
Whether you want to attend a large university with a sprawling campus or a smaller school with intimate class sizes, there’s a college in Nevada to meet your needs. Keep reading to discover the cheapest colleges in Nevada and learn more about what each one has to offer.
1. College of Southern Nevada
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $4,358/$13,024 (including fees)
Location: Las Vegas (Charleston), North Las Vegas, and Henderson
The College of Southern Nevada was founded in 1971 and currently has three main campus locations throughout the state. More than 30,000 students are enrolled at the university, and the student-faculty ratio is 23 to one. There are more than 180 degrees and certificates to pursue and about 70 academic programs. Popular areas of study include business, education, health sciences, and hospitality and culinary arts.
The school also offers more than 30 student organizations and several onsite food pantries where students experiencing food insecurity can pick up free groceries.
2. Nevada State University
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $6,765/$21,834 (not including fees)
Location: Henderson
Nevada State University is a four-year teaching institution that was founded in 2002. There are three schools—the School of Nursing, the School of Education, and the School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business—and 58 student organizations.
Nevada State University is ranked number 10 on Niche’s list of the best colleges for nursing. The university keeps its classes small—40 students or fewer—and has a student-faculty ratio of 18 to one. The 511-acre campus is located at the foot of Mount Scorpion, offering an escape for nature lovers.
3. University of Nevada, Reno
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $9,578/$27,720 (including fees)
Location: Reno
Founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno has the distinction of being Nevada’s first university. The land-grant university has almost 21,000 students and a student-faculty ratio of 17 to one. There are 13 colleges and schools, more than 145 undergraduate programs, and about 250 student clubs and organizations. Some popular majors include public health, biology, nursing, and marketing.
The 290-acre campus is located less than one mile from Lake Tahoe, providing plenty of outdoor recreational activities for students to participate in outside of class.
4. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $9,995/$28,097 (including fees)
Location: Las Vegas
Students who prefer city life should consider attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. (The university’s 335-acre campus is spread throughout downtown Las Vegas.)
The research institution was founded in 1957 and now has about 33,000 enrolled students—approximately 27,000 of which are undergraduates—and a student-faculty ratio of 18 to one. There are 15 colleges and schools, plus three professional schools, about 450 registered student organizations, and more than 150 undergraduate degree programs and certifications. Some unique class offerings include Gaming Innovations, History of the Beatles, and Aesthetics of Music and Wine.
5. Great Basin College
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $1,575 per 12 lower-division credits or $2,526 per 12 upper-division credits/$5,908 or $6,859
Location: Elko
With about 4,000 students, Great Basin College is one of the smallest schools on our list. Founded in 1967 as Elko Community College, this school offers 15 bachelor’s degrees in topics such as English, social science, nursing, and biological sciences. The school also offers a small but diverse selection of student clubs and organizations, including the E-Sports Gaming Club, Theatre Club, and the Native American Student Association.
The tuition information listed on its website is broken down a bit differently than some of the other schools in the state. It includes separate pricing for lower-division classes (0-229) and upper-division classes (300+).
6. Western Nevada College
Tuition in-state/out-of-state: $3,712 for 30 lower division class credits or $6,090 for 30 upper division class credits/$8,666 for full-time out-of-state students
Location: Carson City
Western Nevada College is also a small school with about 4,100 enrolled students. It also breaks its tuition up between lower-division and upper-division courses.
The college’s bachelor’s degree programs are limited, but its transfer program is robust and allows students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and finish their education at another university. Some available programs include industrial technology, biological, physical, and environmental sciences, nursing, and fire science.
The college also has its own food and hygiene student supply organization that helps those struggling with food insecurity.
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