Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Nevada-Reno worth it?
Pay $15,927/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,614 ten years out — about 3.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Nevada-Reno vs Nevada avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Nevada college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Nevada-Reno | Nevada avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $15,927 | $24,287 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $60,614 | $49,935 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,922 | $14,920 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 61.2% | 45.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 73.7% | 86.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $103,144 over four years. Most students get $9,859/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,922 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 31% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Nevada-Reno grad earns about $624,560 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Nevada-Reno
The average student at University of Nevada-Reno pays $15,927 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $25,786 published sticker price. That is below the NV average net price of $24,287.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $60,614 — above the NV median of $49,935. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,922, roughly $205 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 31% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Nevada colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Nevada-Reno.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Nevada-Reno?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $15,927 per year. That's $9,859/yr in financial aid against the $25,786 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $63,708.
How much do University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Nevada-Reno graduates earn a median of $60,614 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Nevada-Reno graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,922 — about $205/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 24% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Nevada-Reno worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Nevada-Reno a value grade of B — top 32% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $15,927/yr, earn $60,614/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.51. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Nevada-Reno?
22.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 24% take federal student loans. On average, students get $9,859 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Nevada-Reno?
In-state tuition is $9,578 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $27,720 per year — a difference of $18,142/yr or $72,568 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Nevada-Reno?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,674. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $21,646. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →