Nevada has only a few public universities producing BSN graduates, alongside several private and for-profit colleges, and a fast-growing demand for nurses. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you live in Las Vegas or Reno and want to become a nurse. Your main public options are the state’s two research universities and a newer state university in Henderson. The numbers below show how they compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Nevada that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Nevada nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nevada-Reno | Reno | Public | 61% | 193 | $90,108 | $10,300 |
| 2 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Public | 51% | 242 | $85,882 | $10,279 |
| 3 | Nevada State University | Henderson | Public | 35% | 313 | $90,070 | $7,290 |
Also offering a BSN in Nevada (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseman University of Health Sciences | Henderson | Private nonprofit | n/a | 307 | $95,235 | n/a |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Private for-profit | n/a | 248 | $85,460 | $24,600 |
| Chamberlain University-Nevada | Las Vegas | Private for-profit | n/a | 183 | $89,974 | $21,250 |
Top Nevada nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Nevada-Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing is the oldest nursing school in the state and tops our Nevada list.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 1 in Nevada on our list
- Programme size: about 193 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $90,108 one year after graduating
- Cost: $10,300 in-state tuition ($28,932 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 74%
2. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing trains many of the nurses working in southern Nevada’s fast-growing health systems.
- Graduation rate: 51%, number 2 in Nevada on our list
- Programme size: about 242 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $85,882 one year after graduating
- Cost: $10,279 in-state tuition ($28,192 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 96%
3. Nevada State University
Nevada State University in Henderson is a younger public university with a large nursing programme focused on serving southern Nevada.
- Graduation rate: 35%, number 3 in Nevada on our list
- Programme size: about 313 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $90,070 one year after graduating
- Cost: $7,290 in-state tuition ($22,765 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 87%
Nevada has some of the lowest numbers of nurses per head of population in the US, so demand for graduates is strong. Several private and for-profit colleges also offer BSN programmes in the state.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Nevada
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Nevada offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 6 colleges in Nevada produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,486 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Nevada nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Nevada-Reno has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 61%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Nevada?
Nevada State University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 313 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Nevada?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $85,460 to $95,235, with a typical (median) figure of about $90,022. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Nevada?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $7,290 to $10,300 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Nevada State Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Nevada State Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Nevada State Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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