Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Nevada. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
With this list, we only reviewed accredited institutions. Accreditation holds institutions to high standards of educational quality on both the national and regional levels. Most colleges on our list are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which recognizes postsecondary institutions in the Northwestern United States based on performance, integrity, and quality of merit. Others are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Nevada
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Nevada
Does Nevada have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Online Bachelor’s in Urban Studies and Western Nevada College’s Online Bachelor’s in Organization and Project Management. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Nevada to complete a master’s or doctoral degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields. Nevada is rich in online graduate school options, like the University of Nevada, Reno’s Master of Social Work and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice.
That said, there are many excellent online college programs available in other states as well. If you’re open to attending a school that’s located in another state, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top 30 options in the entire United States for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Nevada cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, whereas others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc.
Why should you choose Nevada for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to private religious institutions to top public research universities, Nevada offers something for every online college student. One option that stands out as a particularly appealing choice is University of Nevada, Reno, which offers dozens of online degree and certificate programs.
The Cost of Online College in Nevada
How much does an online degree in Nevada cost?
The cost of an online degree in Nevada depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree that you decide to pursue. For example, private schools are typically more expensive than public schools, and undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online. Nevada is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). This means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Nevada schools without incurring additional fees.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Nevada below:
Most affordable online college in Nevada: Western Nevada College, $291 per credit
Most expensive online college in Nevada: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, $807 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Nevada to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you would be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Nevada for one year. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Nevada?
In 2009, Nevada began the Pack Advantage, now known as the Nevada Guarantee, which promises free tuition, fees, books, and other supports to Nevada college students from low-income families. The Nevada Guarantee can only be used at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Recipients must meet admissions requirements and have an adjusted gross family income of $60,000 or less. They must also be Pell Grant-eligible and complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. About 30% of Nevada high school students qualify for the Nevada Guarantee.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Nevada
If you don’t qualify for the Nevada Guarantee, there are many other programs available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on financial need, whereas others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below.
Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program
This financial aid program is named after the former governor of Nevada, who was also a former interim president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It provides up to $10,000 in tuition to qualified, high-achieving Nevada students at eligible in-state institutions.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be a resident of Nevada for at least two years and have a GPA of at least 3.25 or earn a qualifying test score on the SAT or ACT. Applicants must also have completed certain high school courses, like Algebra II.
Contact information: [email protected] | 888-477-2667
Hannah Ostrea Memorial College Scholarship
Residents of three southern Nevada counties are eligible to apply for this award in memory of a three-year-old Nevada preschooler who died of an ultra-rare genetic disorder. Applicants must have a rare disease or have a parent or sibling (living or deceased) who has been diagnosed with one.
Who’s eligible? Nevada high school seniors from or attending school in Clark, Lincoln, or Nye counties and who have at least a 2.5 GPA. The scholarship is good at two or four-year schools.
Contact information: [email protected] | 702-608-2488
NEWH Chapter Scholarships
NEWH, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the hospitality industry, offers many scholarships nationwide, including one for Nevada students. Applicants must plan to pursue a degree in a hospitality field, such as interior design, hospitality management, or architecture.
Who’s eligible? Hospitality students attending a two or four-year college in Nevada with a 3.0 GPA. NEWH membership is not required to apply but is offered free to students.
Contact information: [email protected] | 800-593-NEWH
The Bruce Fishkin Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund seeks outstanding students from select areas of the country to sponsor the full cost of their college education. The Las Vegas metro area is one of the three regions applicants can hail from. Selection is based upon application essays, followed by personal interviews.
Who’s eligible? Any high school senior from the Las Vegas area with at least a 3.0 GPA can apply — there is no income cutoff. Testing is required. Applicants must have a minimum of 22 on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT and plan to attend a two or four-year college anywhere in the United States.
Contact information: [email protected] | 203-515-9078
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Nevada
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, it’s quite possible you don’t yet know what you will major in as well. In that case, one of the most important factors that you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Nevada — this will make it easier to find a job, and the higher demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Employment Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Nevada:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Nevada, they earn an average salary of $136,230.
- Growth: 60.9%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
As Nevada’s population ages, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In Nevada, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $33,450.
- Growth: 50.7%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists are experts in the field of breathing assistance and monitoring. They assist doctors and other health professionals with patient treatment for diseases and conditions that impact breathing, such as asthma, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis, to name a few. In Nevada, these professionals earn an average annual salary of $83,130.
- Growth: 41.8%
- Degree options: Associate in Respiratory Care, Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Care
Software Developers and Testers
As governments, companies, and individuals become ever more reliant on web-based technologies, it’s no surprise that the skills of software developers and testers are in high demand. Salaries in this field tend to be quite high — for example, software developers in Nevada earn an average salary of $119,870.
- Growth: 39.6%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Software Engineering, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Software Engineering, Master’s in Computer Science
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in treating speech impediments and other issues that arise related to the mouth and throat area, including chewing and swallowing food. Demand for SLP services is expected to rise greatly in Nevada and across the country, largely due to the aging population and prevalence of health issues such as stroke and Alzheimer’s, which can impair speech and eating skills. In Nevada, SLPs make an average annual salary of $90,140.
- Growth: 37.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology