Best Online Colleges in Nevada of 2023
Online higher education options in the state of Nevada include not only traditional four-year universities but also community colleges, certification programs, and virtual apprenticeships. If you’re planning to take college courses online, Nevada has plenty of options to choose from. Below, we’ll go over tuition rates, financial aid, and everything else you need to know about attending online universities and colleges in Nevada.
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.
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’ 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 graduate school options, like the University of Nevada, Reno’s Master of Social Work and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Online Doctor of Nursing Practice.
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. For example, if you’d like to take online classes at Western Nevada College, you’ll need to pay a $5 per unit online class fee.
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 Sierra Nevada University, which offers a flat rate of $382 per undergraduate credit for all online students regardless of state residency.
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, parking, 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, $189 per credit in-state; $279 per credit out-of-state
- Most expensive online college in Nevada: University of Nevada – Las Vegas, $285 per credit in-state; $599 per credit out-of-state
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 $50,000 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 1,100 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
5 Fastest 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 comparing the two most recent sets of state-level occupational employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020 and 2019), we’ve determined that the following five industries have the highest growth rates in Nevada.
Farming, Fishing and Forestry
With natural resources boosting over 6.1 million acres of farmland, 10.6 million acres of forest, and 36 lakes, it is no surprise to see that this industry is one of the strongest in the Silver State. Within this sector, the most common occupations are farming supervisors and forestry workers — these jobs have an average salary of $37,430 in Nevada. Other occupation options in this category include loggers, fallers, agricultural inspectors, and conservation workers.
- Growth: 15.2%
- Degree options: Associate in Natural Resource Management, Bachelor’s in Agriculture Sciences, Bachelor’s in Animal Science, Bachelor’s in Entomology, Master’s in Environmental Science, Master of Forestry, Ph.D. in Horticulture
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Because Nevada is the fifth-fastest growing state, it makes sense that the need for healthcare practitioners and technicians is rising. Within this sector, the most common occupations are registered nurses and pharmacy technicians. Other occupations in this domain include dental hygienists, physicians, speech-language pathologists, and athletic trainers. The average statewide salary for all jobs in this industry is $93,200.
- Growth: 3.1%
- Degree options: Associate in Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor’s in Nursing, Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy, Bachelor’s in Audiology, Master’s in Genetic Counseling, Master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Doctor of Medicine
Architecture and Engineering
Architecture and engineering job growth go hand in hand with Nevada’s population influx. Within this sector, the most common occupations in Nevada are civil engineers and electrical engineering technologists — these jobs have an average salary of $81,425. Other occupations in this category include landscape architects, aerospace engineers, calibration technologists, industrial engineers, and surveying technicians.
- Growth: 1.7%
- Degree options: Associate in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mining Engineering, Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor’s in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, Bachelor’s in Geomatics, Master’s in Industrial Design, Doctor of Architecture
Business and Financial Operations
Nevada is the headquarters of hospitality business giants like MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands, so it’s no surprise to see that this industry remains one of the strongest in the state. Within this sector, the average salary in Nevada is $67,490, with the most common occupations being project management specialists and human resources specialists.
- Growth: 1.7%
- Degree options: Associate in Human Resources, Bachelor’s in Accounting, Bachelor’s in Finance, Bachelor’s in Marketing, Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Accountancy, Ph.D. in Financial Economics
Community and Social Services
There are many job openings in Nevada for professionals in the mental health, behavioral health, and substance use fields. Within this sector, the average salary in Nevada is $56,000, with the most common occupations being child, family, and school social workers. Many occupations in this sector do not require a graduate degree, like community health workers and career counselors.
- Growth: 1.2%
- Degree options: Associate in Psychology, Bachelor’s in Sociology, Bachelor’s in Addiction Studies, Bachelor’s in Divinity, Master’s in Social Work, Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology