Options for online colleges in Nevada are growing every year. This makes sense since Nevada has one of the nation’s fastest population growth rates, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most of Nevada’s three million residents live in Las Vegas, which is home to more than 632,000 people. Other populous areas include Henderson and Reno.
Online colleges in Nevada work well for people who reside in rural areas or working professionals living anywhere in the state. In fact, the top online schools in Nevada are not found in Las Vegas. Great Basin College in Elko, Touro University Nevada in Henderson, and Nevada State College — also in Henderson — made our list for the Best Online Colleges in 2018. At these standout colleges, students can earn their associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees entirely online. Touro University Nevada and Nevada State College also offer accelerated and fully online nursing programs.
Nevada residents pay less for in-state tuition. The state’s average college tuition is $5,282 lower than the national average. Overall, the state boasts a relatively low in-state tuition compared to other Western states and the national average. For the 2017-2018 school year, Nevada’s average in-state tuition was $4,688 compared to the national average of $9,970.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Nevada:
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Nevada, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Nevada may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Nevada.
The Best Online Colleges in Nevada
1. University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
The University of Nevada Las Vegas, a public research university, has over 25,000 students in attendance and offers more than 220 programs of study. The university provides a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas offers several online baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degrees include public administration and social sciences. Online master’s degrees include hospitality and educational psychology. Online doctoral degree offerings include multiple topics in nursing, while available certifications include family nurse practitioner and nuclear criticality safety engineering.
Resources for online students include an online job board, technical support, online writing assistance via Skype, an online writing lab and an extensive online library.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas is regionally accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
2. College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
The College of Southern Nevada, established in 1971, is primarily a two-year college and one of the largest public colleges in the state. The college provides approximately 200 degree programs spanning seven academic schools. The college has over 35,000 students in attendance.
The College of Southern Nevada offers a number of online associate, baccalaureate and certificate programs. Associate’s degrees include sociology and special education. Bachelor’s degree offerings include dental hygiene, while available certifications include medical transcription and criminal justice.
Resources available to online students include 24/7 online tutoring, live chat with an academic advisor, live online technical support and an online library.
The College of Southern Nevada is regionally accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
3. Great Basin College
Elko, Nevada
Founded in 1967, Great Basin College is one of the leading online colleges in Nevada. With a focus on undergraduate education, GBC offers associate and bachelor’s degrees to more than 3,800 online students across the country. In addition to online degrees, the school offers one-year certificate of achievement programs.
Online associate degrees provide students with the tools needed to advance to four-year degrees. Bachelor’s programs in English, social science, nursing (RN to BSN), land surveying and geomatics, digital information technologies, graphic communications, and management and supervision prepare students for careers in public and private professional, technical, and management fields. RN to BSN degree seekers must receive separate admission to the program.
Great Basin College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and its nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
4. Touro University Nevada
Henderson, Nevada
Located on the outskirts of Las Vegas in Henderson, Touro University Nevada is an institution steeped in Jewish heritage and values. As one of the premier online schools in Nevada, TUN offers nursing and education degrees that are completely online (excluding internship and practicum requirements).
TUN boasts an undergraduate RN to BSN program as well as two master’s degrees in nursing. These degrees, as well as the doctorate in nursing program, are designed for licensed, practicing nurses who wish to continue their education. The two-year online master’s degree in education with an emphasis on curriculum and school counseling is ideal for teachers who want to become school counselors. The school’s doctor of education program is online with two, on-campus week-long residences.
Touro University Nevada is considered a branch of Touro University California, which is accredited by the Western Association of School and Colleges (WSCUC). Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
5. Nevada State College
Henderson, Nevada
In the heart of the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada State College boasts a 511-acre campus in Henderson at the foot of Mount Scorpion. With an RN to BSN program, NSC is one of the online colleges in Nevada offering practicing nurses opportunities to advance their educations and careers.
NSC’s online RN to BSN degree focuses on authenticity, healing, and building skills necessary to support patients, families, and communities though sensitivity, professionalism, and expert clinical reasoning. The 36-hour program offers seven start dates annually. Applicants need a valid registered nurse license and an associate degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Nevada State College is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The nursing program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).