Best Colleges in Nevada

Providing a high-quality education to more than 30,000 students each year, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas tops our list of the best online colleges in Nevada. Along with more than 200 individual distance courses, the university offers fully online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields of study like healthcare administration, urban leadership, emergency and crisis management, and nursing. All online classes at UNLV are asynchronous, meaning you can watch lecture recordings, interact with classmates, and complete assignments whenever is most convenient for you. Many students at the university also elect to enroll in hybrid courses, combining the flexibility of online education with face-to-face instruction in the classroom. To apply to a bachelor's program at UNLV, you must have a high school diploma with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prospective undergraduates must also receive a minimum score of 22 on the ACT or 1120 on the SAT. Graduate admission standards vary, but most programs require a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores.

The University of Nevada, Reno hosts seven online master's and doctoral programs, including tracks in educational equity and diversity, justice management, nursing practice, and social work. Undergraduate students at the university can also supplement their core coursework by pursuing fully online minors in addiction treatment services and Basque studies. Online programs at UNR feature multiple start dates throughout the year, making it easier for students to schedule their learning according to their schedules. All courses are delivered online and asynchronously, though some programs require students to participate in field experiences in their own communities. Admission requirements vary across graduate programs, but all require applicants to have a bachelor's degree and a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Prospective master's and doctoral students must also submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement. The university's executive MBA program requires applicants to take the GRE or GMAT, though UNR does not set minimum scores for these exams.

Great Basin College exclusively serves undergraduate students through more than 50 associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs. Fully online areas of study at the college include early childhood education, graphic communication, computer programming, and medical coding and billing. Online students at GBC enjoy access to the same services available to on-campus learners. For example, the college's academic success center provides free access to tutoring, study skills workshops, proctored exams, and writing assistance. In addition, all online learners are matched with a dedicated advisor who provides support throughout the enrollment, credit transfer, and/or financial aid application processes. As an open-admission institution, GBC welcomes all students, regardless of their academic background. Applicants must submit high school or GED transcripts and take a placement exam, though the college waives this requirement for prospective students who have taken the ACT or SAT. To transfer credit earned at another regionally accredited college or university, you must have earned at least a 2.0 GPA in your prior coursework.

Located in the mountain ski resort community of Incline Village one mile from Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada College enrolls about 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students. SNC’s teacher education campuses in Las Vegas and Reno offer flexible bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and professional development courses designed for working professionals. SNC offers 30 undergraduate majors and concentrations in business, humanities, social sciences, fine arts, science, and technology. The school also delivers interdisciplinary programs such as outdoor adventure leadership and sustainability. Business programs include ski area management and global business management. SNC also offers master’s degrees in education, interdisciplinary studies, and creative writing. Additionally, the college provides continuing education, summer arts programs, and four online degrees. SNC uses a rolling online admissions process and considers incoming freshmen with a minimum 2.6 GPA and SAT math and reading scores above 400 or ACT scores above 19.

Nevada State College offers an RN-to-BSN program that is specifically designed to ensure that working nurses can balance their studies with their professional obligations. This program features fully online and asynchronous coursework, multiple start dates throughout the year, a generous transfer policy, and field experience requirements that students can meet at their current place of employment. More than 90% of faculty who teach in the program have received specialized training in distance education. Online learners at NSC also enjoy a variety of support services, including web-based tutoring, 24/7 technical support, and personalized feedback on essays and research papers. You must currently hold a nursing license to apply to this program. Generally, prospective students also need an associate degree from an accredited institution earned with at least a 2.0 GPA, though the college does provide provisional admission to some nurses who hold nursing diplomas. Applicants can expect to receive their admission decision within 24-48 hours.