Online Colleges in Nevada

Known for its bright lights and big risks, the increase of online colleges in Nevada proves that the state also has a lot to offer when it comes to higher education.

The state is working hard to develop specific goals and metrics that will improve access to education and student success, help close the achievement gap, and help meet the needs of the workforce in the future.

The state of Nevada is highly committed to these goals and improving the opportunities available to its residents.

Online Colleges in Nevada

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), almost 18% of undergraduate students in Nevada are enrolled in fully online degree programs. Nearly another 34% are enrolled in hybrid programs that combine online and on-campus learning.

Those numbers continue to rise as schools increase their online offerings. Many universities in Nevada offer multiple online college degree and certificate programs in fields such as education, engineering, nursing, and more. There are hundreds of online and hybrid courses offered each semester.

Many private schools have online opportunities as well, with some offering fully online degrees, while others offer online courses and hybrid programs.

The state even has a non-profit online-only university, Western Governors University (WGU Nevada). WGU offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, education, and healthcare.

WGU’s programs are competency-based, which can allow you to move at your own pace. WGU offers support through personal mentors and access to online learning modules, electronic textbooks, web-based tutorials, and simulations.

Common Online Degrees in Nevada

Online Nevada colleges and universities offer a wide range of degree programs that can help you prepare for a variety of different careers. These are some of the most popular online degrees in NV and what they typically entail:

• Anthropology: Anthropology degree programs involve the exploration of how humans and cultures have behaved throughout history. This degree often leads to a career as an anthropologist or an archeologist.
• Hospitality Management: Earning a hospitality management degree can help you develop the skills necessary to oversee a business involved in tourism, culinary arts, and events. Graduates of this program may pursue a job in hotel administration, marketing, or food and beverage management.
• Psychology: If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, a counselor, or a therapist, a psychology degree can help you pursue that goal. Studies in this degree focus on human behavior and mental health disorders.
• Business Administration: A business administration degree centers on the leadership skills that managers, executives, and administrators need to successfully operate an organization. Common areas of study include human resources, accounting, and management.
• Nursing: Nurses monitor and care for patients in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. To become a licensed or registered nurse, students typically complete a degree in nursing.

Many of these programs are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels.

Overview of Higher Education in Nevada

Nevada is home to 20 degree-granting institutions, according to the NCES. Of these, 7 are public, 4 are non-profit private schools, and 9 are for-profit private schools.

The NCES reports that the average cost of tuition and fees to attend one of the state’s 4 year public institutions is $6,434 for in-state students, For out-of-state students, the average cost is $23,010. These tuition rates are thousands below the national average and among the lowest in the nation.

Residents in western states may be able to get an especially good deal, thanks to Nevada’s membership in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).

WICHE’s Student Exchange Program allows qualifying students to enroll at colleges located within the 16 participating states and territories for no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate.

Employment Outlook for College Graduates in Nevada

The Nevada workforce consists of over 1.4 million people, many of whom work in office and administrative support, food preparation and serving, and sales. Growing industries for college graduates in Nevada include management, healthcare, and business and financial operations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nevada’s unemployment rate hovers around 5.5%. This is higher than the rate for the rest of the country, which is 3.7%. Data from the BLS shows that the median annual salary for all occupations in Nevada is $40,810, which is lower than the national median annual wage of $46,300.

Your potential earnings in Nevada may differ significantly depending on your location and employer. For example, the median annual wage in Carson City is $47,940. Certain occupations, such as sales managers and nurse practitioners, earn very competitive average salaries there.

Careers & Salaries in Nevada

Nevada online degrees serve as preparation for a number of different career paths in multiple industries. Organizations in healthcare, business, and education consistently seek out well-qualified employees with college degrees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are some of the most popular careers for college graduates in Nevada.

In addition to helping you qualify for a broader pool of positions, earning a degree may also allow you to negotiate a better salary or pursue a promotion.

For example, the most dominant industries in Nevada, including food service and transportation, may not require a degree, but completing one may help you take on an administrative or management role with a higher rate of pay.

Nevada Online Colleges Admissions Requirements

When applying to an online degree program for a college in Nevada, you will have to submit specific documents. While the requirements vary from school to school, these are some things commonly required:

• High school and college transcripts
• SAT and ACT scores (only required by some schools)
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendations

Along with these materials, you’ll need to submit an application and may have to pay a fee.

NV Online Colleges Accreditation

Online colleges in Nevada that have been awarded regional accreditation status have demonstrated that they meet the highest standards for academic institutions.

Regional accrediting bodies evaluate a university’s curriculum and faculty to determine whether they are up to par. When attending such a school, you are more likely to receive the most up-to-date and relevant information in your field.

If you decide to change schools before graduating or pursue an advanced degree, it’s easier to transfer credits from a regionally accredited school. Employers also often have a more positive response to candidates who have degrees from schools with regional accreditation.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you are thinking about attending a college or university in Nevada, you likely want to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to access federal, state, and some forms of private financial aid.

The information you provide will be used to determine the types and amount of financial aid you are eligible for.

In addition to federal financial aid, the state of Nevada offers two grant programs to help residents afford higher education. Both programs are tied to college savings plans.

• Silver State Matching Grant Program: This program requires an SSgA Upromise 529 account. To qualify, the beneficiary must be 13 or younger at the time of approval for the first matching grant, and the household must have an adjusted gross income under $74,999. The program will match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $300 per year or $1,500 total.
• USAA Distinguished Valor Matching Grant Program: The program is available to children of any active member of the US Armed Forces. Applicants must have a USAA 529 College Savings Plan account. There are two variations of the grant offered.

• • Category A: The account holder must be in the military, on active duty, and have an adjusted gross income under $95,000. The beneficiary must be under 13 years old.
  • Category B: The account holder must have earned a Purple Heart during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the beneficiary must be their spouse or child.

Additionally, Nevada residents may apply for private scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on any number of factors, including academic or athletic achievements, intended major, geographic region, hobbies or interests, and so on.

These are a few scholarships students in Nevada may apply for:

• Bruce Fishkin Scholarship: Up to the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, and supplies
• Gordon Lymbery, PhD Memorial Scholarship: Up to $1,000
• Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship: Up to $10,000
• Horatio Alger State Scholarship: Up to $10,000
• TFMJF Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship: $1,000

You can also check with the financial aid office at your chosen school. They will be able to tell you about any additional financial aid opportunities that are exclusive to the school.

Nevada Online Education Resources

The process of applying for college is complex, and these resources can help you navigate the system:

• Nevada System of Higher Education: The NSHE offers information about financial aid, transfer policies, and accessibility.
• Go to College Nevada: Go to College Nevada provides information about college preparation, financial aid, and entrance requirements.
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities: The NWCCU is the regional accrediting body that accredits academic institutions in Nevada.

Once you have chosen a particular online college in Nevada, reaching out to your admissions and financial aid counselors can be beneficial as well.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to an Online College in Nevada?

The cost of attending an online college in Nevada depends on factors like the school you select and your residential status. In general, private 4 year universities are typically the most expensive, while online community colleges in Nevada usually have the lowest tuition and fees.

If you live in Nevada, you might pay substantially less than an out-of-state student attending the same school. For instance, a Nevada resident attending a public 4 year college might pay around $6,000 a year in tuition compared to $23,000 for a non-resident.

Completing a degree online is often more affordable than attending on-campus because you can save money on parking, transportation, and fees.

Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students

Many online universities in Nevada charge students higher rates if they live out of state, but there may be ways to receive discounts.

Nevada is part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The WICHE also includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Pacific Islands.

Under the WICHE agreement, participating public schools cap out-of-state tuition at 150% of the residential rate and private colleges offer a 10% tuition reduction for qualifying students who reside in member states. This often translates to a significantly lower tuition bill.

Some colleges in Nevada have chosen to eliminate out-of-state tuition for online students and instead offer a flat rate for everyone regardless of residency. In some cases, schools charge additional fees for participating in virtual classes.

What Jobs Are in Demand in Nevada?

When choosing a college degree, an important consideration is job stability and the ability to find a position after graduating. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are some of the most in-demand jobs for college graduates in Nevada:

• General and operations managers
• Registered nurses
• Business operations specialists
• Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
• Elementary school teachers

Pursuing a degree in nursing, business administration, or education may help you become better positioned to apply for one of these roles.

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Nevada?

Many prospective college students also base their degree selection on potential earnings, and certain jobs in Nevada tend to offer more competitive pay than others.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general internal medicine physicians have one of the highest average salaries in the state with median annual salaries of $212,720. Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates also typically have high salaries. They have median annual earnings of $175,510.

Other typically high-paying careers include materials scientists and physician assistants, who have median annual salaries of $173,680 and $142,250, respectively.

It’s important to keep in mind that your specific salary potential will vary depending on a number of factors, including your employer, location, experience, and education.

List of Online Colleges in Nevada

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Students seeking a degree in healthcare may earn a degree through Chamberlain University—Las Vegas. The school offers fully online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Most courses are asynchronous and self-paced with set due dates. Some programs are only available in certain states.

Programs offered include an RN-to-BSN, an MSN, an FNP, a DNP, and a Master of Public Health.

Chamberlain University – Las Vegas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

SR Education Group named the College of Southern Nevada among the top three most affordable online degree programs. The school offers online associate and bachelor’s degree programs.

Courses are asynchronous and follow the regular semester schedule. The school’s online programs are designed to provide the same education as their on-campus counterparts. Areas of study offered include fire and emergency services administration and project management.

The College of Southern Nevada is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Great Basin College offers fully online degree programs for students seeking associate or bachelor’s degrees. The school is committed to offering affordable online education to all students.

Degrees can potentially be earned in 2 to 4 years. Areas of study offered include English, social science, nursing, human services, and digital information technology.

Great Basin College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Nevada State College offers two online degree options: a BA in History and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies offers concentrations in Leadership, History, and Education. These programs may be completed entirely online or in a mix of online and on-campus courses.

MGM Resort employees may receive paid tuition through the company.

Nevada State College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Roseman University offers a limited number of online programs for students seeking a degree in healthcare. Programs are available fully online or in a hybrid format.

The school offers an RN-to-BSN accelerated program, a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, and a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences that can all be completed online. Roseman encourages collaborative learning for online students.

Roseman University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Students can seek an online degree through Touro University—Nevada through one of the school’s two online programs. Both programs are fully online except for clinicals and internships.

The RN-to-BSN can potentially be completed in just 1 year. Accepted students with a bachelor’s degree can earn a Master’s in Education.

Touro University Nevada is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Truckee Meadows Community College offers a variety of associate and bachelor’s degrees that can be earned online. Most programs follow a semester schedule and are entirely online, but a few require one or more campus visits. Many courses are asynchronous but have mandatory due dates.

Areas of study offered include emergency management and homeland security, nursing, and entrepreneurship.

Truckee Meadows Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The University of Nevada—Las Vegas students can choose from 14 online degree and certificate programs. UNLV offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

All courses are available entirely online and follow a traditional semester format. Some are available in a hybrid format. Most courses are offered in an asynchronous format. Fields of study offered include anthropology, educational psychology, and urban leadership.

The University of Nevada – Las Vegas is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The University of Nevada—Reno offers one bachelor’s program in nursing and several master’s programs that can be completed online. Master’s programs are offered in justice management, social work, and creative writing.

Many of these programs are available fully online, while some are also offered in a hybrid format. Courses follow a regular semester schedule.

The University of Nevada – Reno is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Western Nevada College offers several online degree programs designed for students who have other commitments and need flexible schedules. Some programs are available online, while others are in a hybrid format.

The school offers a Bachelor’s in Organization and Project Management and a number of associate degrees in fields such as graphic design, accounting, and education.

Western Nevada College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Getting Your Online Degree in Nevada

When it comes to higher education in Nevada, many find it to be an excellent choice. Whether you wish to head to campus or enroll as an online student and study anywhere, anytime, Nevada has many opportunities to choose from.

You can start your journey by researching online accredited schools in Nevada that offer your chosen degree program.

You can also view our Online Colleges in Nebraska and Online Colleges in New Hampshire guides for more options.