University of Nevada, Reno campus

University in United States

University of Nevada, Reno

Reno, NV, United States

University profile

About University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is Nevada's land-grant university, founded in 1874 under the Morrill Act of 1862 and the state's first university. It describes itself as a Carnegie R1 research university and a Carnegie Engaged University. Its central campus covers 290 acres in Reno, two blocks from downtown, with the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe as a second site.

Teaching and research are organised in 13 colleges and schools offering more than 560 academic programmes, including 145+ bachelor's degree options. They include the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources; the College of Business; the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Engineering; the College of Liberal Arts (with the School of the Arts and the School of Social Research and Justice Studies); the College of Science (with the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering); the Orvis School of Nursing, founded in 1956; the School of Public Health, established in 2004; the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism; the School of Medicine; and the School of Social Work. The Graduate School administers master's, Ph.D., dual-degree and certificate programmes.

The campus has 180 buildings, 60 research facilities and 12 museums and galleries. Students can join more than 250 clubs and organisations, live in one of nine residence halls and use the 108,000-square-foot E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center. Nevada Wolf Pack athletics fields 17 Division I teams in the Mountain West Conference, playing at venues such as Mackay Stadium (27,000 seats) and Lawlor Events Center (12,000 seats).

International students apply through the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). Undergraduate applicants from a list of English-speaking countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, are exempt from English proficiency testing. The University is a member of Common App.

University information

Tuition and fees 2026-2027 (full-time, 30 credits)

  • Nevada resident freshman or transfer: $11,079 ($9,383 base tuition, $1,696 mandatory fees)
  • Out-of-state: $31,268
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange: $15,770; Pack Exchange Program: $20,462
  • International: $31,413 ($9,383 base tuition, $20,189 non-resident tuition, $1,841 mandatory fees)
  • Graduate: $383.25 per credit, with assistantships offering varying tuition support

International students

International students cannot file the FAFSA. Those who have completed one year can submit the Institutional Methodology form (priority date February 1) for need-based scholarships and grants; F-1/J-1 holders are not eligible for institutional funding in their first academic year. The OISS Scholarship provides $300 to $5,000 per year to F-1/J-1 undergraduates (GPA 2.75+); the general University scholarships for international students range from $500 to $8,000 per year, and new international students can receive $1,000 to $12,000. About 80 percent of international graduate students receive graduate assistantships. Graduate Dean's Fellowships ($50,000 per year) and Merit Scholarships ($10,000 for new admits) are open to international graduate students. The college and department scholarship application in MyNEVADA is due February 15.

Other institutional awards

  • Pack Exchange Program: 200% of Nevada resident base tuition for qualifying students from western states (up to $11,000 per year saved)
  • National Merit Scholarship: up to $20,000 per year for four years
  • Transfer Bridge Scholarship: $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters

Details: International scholarships and funding, Scholarships.

OISS Scholarship (International Undergraduate Students) →

Graduate Dean's Fellowships →

Pack Exchange Program (PEP) Reduced Tuition →

National Merit Scholarship →

Find scholarships on our site

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First-year admission

Applicants are first-year if they are in their senior year of high school or home school, have graduated with no college coursework, or have 23 or fewer transferable college credits; a GED alone cannot be used. Requirements: a minimum 3.0 weighted academic GPA in core courses and 4 units of English, 3 of mathematics (Algebra I or higher), 3 of natural science and 3 of social science. Submit the online application, official high school transcript (sent directly from the school), college transcripts if any, and immunization records. SAT/ACT scores are optional for admission.

Applications are accepted through the University's own application and Common App. Fall 2027: application opens August 1, 2026; Early Action deadline November 15, 2026; scholarship and financial aid priority deadline February 15, 2027; final deadline April 7, 2027; deposit to retain scholarship offers June 15, 2027. Spring 2027: final deadline December 15, 2026.

International undergraduate applicants

Minimum 3.0 academic GPA on a 4.0 scale and the same course units as above (with the native language counting for English). SAT/ACT is not required for admission or scholarships. Application fee: $95 USD, non-refundable. Submit the passport biographical page and official transcripts (sealed mail, school-official email as a password-protected attachment, or fax from the school). English proficiency: TOEFL 61+, IELTS Academic 6.0+, Duolingo 95, Cambridge English 169+, PTE Academic 46+, or graduation from a U.S. high school. Applicants from listed English-speaking countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, are exempt from testing.

International transfer applicants

At least 24 transferable semester credits and a 2.5 cumulative transfer GPA; TOEFL 61+, IELTS 6.0+ or Duolingo 95 (or Cambridge B2+); completion of ENG 101 at a U.S. institution waives the test. High school transcripts are not required with 24+ transferable credits. $95 USD application fee.

Graduate admission

Bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent; minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 for a master's degree and 3.0 for a doctorate (3-year bachelor's degrees are assessed case by case). Online programme-specific application, official transcripts for the most recent 60 undergraduate credits, resume or CV, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation per programme. GRE or GMAT is set by each programme. International English minimums: Duolingo 115, TOEFL iBT 79 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 (tests after), IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE 59, Cambridge 176; exemptions apply for listed countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Programmes may set higher scores.

  • Reno main campus, Reno, Nevada: 290 acres with about 150 years of history; houses the colleges and schools, nine residence halls, the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center, Mackay Stadium and Lawlor Events Center, the Joe Crowley Student Union and library facilities; museums and galleries across campus.
  • Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, Nevada: home to students, faculty, researchers and artists in interdisciplinary activities; includes the Holman Arts and Media Center and hosts the Talks at Tahoe series.
  • Innevation Center, downtown Reno: collaborative space for students, faculty and industry.

Explore Study Programmes

Study programmes offered at University of Nevada, Reno.

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
PostgraduateUnited StatesIntake : March 1 (Fall); October 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer)
 
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
PostgraduateUnited StatesIntake : March 1 (Fall); October 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer)
 
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
PostgraduateUnited StatesIntake : March 1 (Fall); October 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer)
 
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
PostgraduateUnited StatesIntake : March 1 (Fall); October 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer)
 
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
PostgraduateUnited StatesIntake : March 1 (Fall)
 
BA Anthropology
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Art
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Art History
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Communication Studies
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Criminal Justice
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Dance
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 
BA Economics
Bachelor'sUnited StatesIntake : First-year entry terms: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027.
 

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