University of Nevada-Reno: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Reno, Nevada · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- 19,136
- Applicants
- 15,908
- Admitted83%
- 3,747
- Enrolled
- 24%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access83% admittedRanked #219 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #146 (tie), Business Programs #199 (tie), Computer Science #173 (tie), Nursing #115 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Nevada-Reno (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Nevada-Reno a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Nevada-Reno against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Nevada-Reno is a public university in Reno, Nevada that admits about 83% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,927 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Public Health, Psychology, General and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 61% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Nevada-Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Nevada-Reno admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 83%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1170 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,927 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Nevada-Reno?
51% of enrolled students at University of Nevada-Reno had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.42, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare University of Nevada-Reno with the other schools on your list
Open University of Nevada-Reno in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
What does University of Nevada-Reno weight in admissions?
University of Nevada-Reno reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Not Considered
16- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores University of Nevada-Reno typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1060 |
| 50th percentile | 1170 |
| 75th percentile | 1280 |
| % submitting SAT | 16% |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 61% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • SAT/ACT optional for admission but required for most first-year scholarships.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Nevada-Reno's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does University of Nevada-Reno actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,578 for in-state students and $27,720 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,496 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,927 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $8,656 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $27,288 |
| Room and board | $15,409 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,927 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 64% |
| Average need-based grant | $8,353 |
| Average merit award, no financial need755 first-year students received one | $1,804 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 100% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $22,729 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Nevada-Reno
Will my child graduate from University of Nevada-Reno?
These predict outcomes at University of Nevada-Reno better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Nevada-Reno
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Nevada-Reno, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Public Health, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, University of Nevada-Reno confers roughly 1,570 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,525 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health | 353 | n/a |
| Psychology, General | 223 | $49,525 |
| Biology, General | 177 | $58,918 |
| Marketing | 174 | $68,166 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 168 | $93,888 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 165 | n/a |
| Business/Commerce, General | 158 | $64,915 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 152 | $77,047 |
Is University of Nevada-Reno safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Nevada-Reno disclosed 95 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 21 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Nevada-Reno?
About 23% of undergraduates at University of Nevada-Reno live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Nevada parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College73% acceptance · Louisiana
- University of Arkansas74% acceptance · Arkansas
- Faulkner University73% acceptance · Alabama
- University of New Orleans74% acceptance · Louisiana
- Missouri University of Science and Technology73% acceptance · Missouri
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus75% acceptance · Colorado
- University of Maryland-Baltimore County72% acceptance · Maryland
Next steps for University of Nevada-Reno
Common questions parents ask about University of Nevada-Reno
What GPA do I need for University of Nevada-Reno?
51% of enrolled students at University of Nevada-Reno had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.42, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Nevada-Reno typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26.
How much does University of Nevada-Reno actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Nevada-Reno after grants and scholarships is $15,927 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,578 and $27,720 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Nevada-Reno realistic for my child?
University of Nevada-Reno admits 83% of applicants, so 520–640 SAT Math is target range and below 520 is a reach. Then check the $15,927 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Nevada-Reno?
University of Nevada-Reno accepts about 83% of applicants out of roughly 19,136 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Nevada-Reno test-optional?
Yes. University of Nevada-Reno is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno?
About 61% of students at University of Nevada-Reno graduate within six years, and 41% finish in four years. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Nevada-Reno look for in applicants?
University of Nevada-Reno rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Nevada-Reno a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Nevada-Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada.
What are the most popular majors at University of Nevada-Reno?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Nevada-Reno by annual graduates are Public Health, Psychology, General and Biology, General. The school awards about 1,570 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Nevada-Reno safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Nevada-Reno reported 95 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Nevada-Reno?
At University of Nevada-Reno, 23% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Nevada-Reno, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers