Tuition and College Costs (2024)

When choosing a college, the cost is often a deciding factor. Use our calculators and worksheets below to determine your tuition and fees, how much you need to save, and how much aid you'll need. The information below reflects a 15-credit semester for undergraduate students and a 9-credit semester for graduate students.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are a portion of the total cost of attending college, and your residency status is an essential factor. The table below estimates tuition and fees based on a 15-credit undergraduate course load and a 9-credit graduate course load. Tuition and fees for the law school, dental school, and summer term differ from standard student fees.

Tuition and fees are established by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice. For a complete listing, reference Chapter 7 – Tuition and Fees of the NSHE Procedures and Guidelines Manual.

NSHE Predictable Pricing Program

In order to allow students and parents to appropriately budget for college costs in advance, the Nevada Board of Regents has approved a Predictable Pricing Program. This program provides the cost of base tuition fees for a four-year period.

Learn More

2023-2024 Tuition and Fees

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

Residency StatusLevelSemester CostYearly Cost
Nevada ResidentUndergraduate$4,727$9,299*
Graduate***$3,607$7,094*
Nonresident**Undergraduate$13,205$26,255*
Graduate***$12,085$24,050*

*New students pay a one-time fee of $155 for undergraduate students and $120 for graduate students.

**Nonresident calculations include an $8,478 fee per semester.

***Graduate students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee of $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

International students studying on an F1 visa pay a fee of $145 fee per semester. International students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee estimated at $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

Official Tuition Estimator

2024-2025 Tuition and Fees

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

Residency StatusLevelSemester CostYearly Cost
Nevada ResidentUndergraduate$4,878$9,955*
Graduate***$3,717$7,553*
Nonresident**Undergraduate$13,949$28,097*
Graduate***$12,788$25,695*
International****Undergraduate$14,094$28,387
Graduate$12,933$25,985

*New students pay a one-time fee of $200 for undergraduate students and $120 for graduate students.

**Nonresident calculations include a $9,071 fee per semester.

***Graduate students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee estimated at $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

****International students studying on an F1 visa pay a fee of $145 fee per semester. International students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee estimated at $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

Official Tuition Estimator

All College Costs

Your college expenses are calculated using rules established by the U.S. Department of Education. Factors are determined from student surveys, UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Composite Cost of Living Index. The cost of attendance varies depending on housing status, the program of study, state of residency, and total credit hours of enrollment each semester.

For students in programs that lead to professional licensure, the cost of attendance will also include estimated costs associated with obtaining the license. For students receiving federal student loans, the cost of attendance will also include loan fees.

2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Estimates for Undergraduate Students

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

CostLiving Off CampusLiving With Parents and CommutingLiving On Campus
Tuition and Fees (15 credits)$9,299*$9,299*$9,299*
Housing & Utilities$7,678$5,282$6,480
(source: )
Food$5,522$1,540$5,522
(source: )
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment$1,240$1,240$1,240
Transportation$2,540$2,540$1,142
Miscellaneous & Personal$2,908$2,908$2,908
Nevada Residents
Total Estimated Expenses
$29,187$22,809$26,591
Nonresidents**
Total Estimated Expenses
$47,351$40,973$44,755

*New undergraduate students pay a one-time fee of $155.

**Nonresidents calculations include a $16,956 fee plus estimated travel expenses.

2024-2025 Cost of Attendance Estimates for Undergraduate Students

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

CostLiving Off CampusLiving With Parents and CommutingLiving On Campus
Tuition and Fees (15 credits)$9,955*$9,955*$9,955*
Housing & Utilities$7,678$5,282$6,828
(source: )
Food$5,800$2,516$5,800
(source: )
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment$1,240$1,240$1,240
Transportation$2,832$2,832$1,260
Miscellaneous & Personal$3,112$3,112$3,112
Nevada Residents
Total Estimated Expenses
$30,617$24,937$28,195
Nonresidents**
Total Estimated Expenses
$50,359$44,679$47,937

*New undergraduate students pay a one-time fee of $200.

**Nonresidents calculations include an $18,142 fee plus an estimated travel expenses of $1,600.

2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Estimates for Graduate Students***

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

CostLiving Off CampusLiving On Campus
Tuition and Fees (9 credits)$7,094*$7,094*
Housing & Utilities$16,092$6,480
(source: )
Food$5,522$5,522
(source: )
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment$1,240$1,240
Transportation$2,540$1,142
Miscellaneous & Personal$2,908$2,908
Nevada Residents
Total Estimated Expenses
$35,396$24,386
Nonresidents**
Total Estimated Expenses
$53,560$42,550

*New graduate students pay a one-time fee of $120.

**Nonresidents calculations include a $16,956 fee plus estimated travel expenses.

***Graduate students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee estimated at $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

2024-2025 Cost of Attendance Estimates for Graduate Students***

Fall and Spring Semesters

(source: Cashiering and Student Accounts)

CostLiving Off CampusLiving On Campus
Tuition and Fees (9 credits)$7,553*$7,553*
Housing & Utilities$16,092$6,828
(source: )
Food$5,800$5,800
(source: )
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment$1,240$1,240
Transportation$2,832$1,260
Miscellaneous & Personal$3,112$3,112
Nevada Residents
Total Estimated Expenses
$36,629$25,793
Nonresidents**
Total Estimated Expenses
$56,371$45,535

*New graduate students pay a one-time fee of $120.

****Nonresidents calculations include a $18,142 fee plus estimated travel expenses of $1,600.

***Graduate students are also charged a mandatory health insurance fee estimated at $3,500 for the year. The mandatory health insurance fee is not included in the calculations.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We're here to help you finance your education! In the 2022-2023 academic year, nearly 90% of UNLV undergraduates qualified for financial aid. There are many options to lower your out-of-pocket costs through scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans.

To receive priority consideration for most UNLV scholarships and grants, you must be admitted to UNLV and have completed your financial aid application by November 15.

Financial-Aid Resources

  • Work-Study Programs
  • Loans
  • Financing Graduate Studies
  • UNLV Tuition+ Award Program
Tuition and College Costs (2024)

FAQs

Tuition and College Costs? ›

The average cost of attendance for a student living on campus at an in-state public 4-year institution is $27,146 per year or $108,584 over 4 years. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year or $182,832 over 4 years. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628 per year or $234,512 over 4 years.

How much of a college budget is from tuition? ›

It found that tuition dollars paid by families — a figure that includes federal grants and loans — made up 46 percent of funding for U.S. public colleges and universities in fiscal 2017, almost double tuition's share of higher education funding in 1990.

How much is the average college tuition for 4 years in the US? ›

The majority of four-year undergraduate students are paying between $6,000 and $15,000 for tuition and fees with a median of $12,090. However, as we look deeper into the data, mostly public college students pay these costs, while private nonprofit students are more spread out near the higher costs.

Is tuition the most expensive part of college? ›

What Are the Differences Between Tuition and Fees? The biggest chunk of college costs is usually tuition – the amount of money required for instruction. Especially at the undergraduate level, students are often required to pay fees, and these additional costs usually need to be paid to enroll in and attend class.

Why do colleges charge so much for tuition? ›

Institutions can continue charging top prices because college is the ticket to so many high-paying jobs. “Tuition, like healthcare, has low price elasticity of demand,” said Dr. Ernan Haruvy, a professor at McGill University in Montreal. “As price increases, demand drops very little.

Do colleges profit from tuition? ›

Where Do Colleges Get Their Money? Colleges and universities can make money from a number of sources, including endowments, gifts, tuition and fees, athletics, and grants. Schools can also make money by charging fees for international enrollment.

What is a realistic monthly budget for a college student? ›

How much should a college student spend a month? For the 2024-2025 academic year, a college student with a moderate budget should anticipate spending $26,400 to cover nine months of living expenses while attending school, or about $2,900 a month, according to the College Board.

How much is Harvard tuition for 4 years? ›

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Harvard University for 4 Years? A four-year undergraduate degree program at Harvard University costs over $217,000 without room and board or any other fees. 1 Financial aid can significantly cut down the out-of-pocket expenses for those who qualify and need it the most.

What is the financial burden of college? ›

Education Data Initiative reports that the average cost of college in the U.S. is $36,436 per student per year. Interest rates for loans run anywhere from an average of 5.5% to 16%. Student loan debt is close to $1.77 trillion nationwide today.

What is the most expensive college? ›

The Most Expensive Colleges Ranked by Total Cost
RankingSchoolAnnual Cost of Attendance (2022-2023)
1Northwestern University$89,394
2University of Chicago$86,856
3Columbia University$86,097
4University of Pennsylvania$85,738
21 more rows

Is college tuition tax deductible? ›

What is considered a qualified education expense? Although key education expenses like tuition and fees are no longer tax deductible, you might be able to claim a credit by using the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit.

How much will college actually cost? ›

How much is tuition?
Type of CollegeAverage Published Yearly Tuition and Fees (2022-23)
Public Two-Year College (in-district students)$3,860
Public Four-Year College (in-state students)$10,940
Public Four-Year College (out-of-state students)$28,240
Private Four-Year College$39,400

How much money do you need for college? ›

The average cost of a college per year for 2023–2024 is $28,840 for an in-state public college. It's $46,730 per year for an out-of-state public college, and $60,420 for a year at a private college, according to The College Board.

Is college worth the cost anymore? ›

Only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree today is worth it even if someone has to take out loans. Some 47% say the cost is worth it only if someone doesn't have to take out loans. And 29% say the cost is not worth it.

How to lower college tuition? ›

1. Improve Your Chances of an Affordable College Cost
  1. Apply to generous schools. ...
  2. Don't commit early to a college. ...
  3. Look for scholarships before and during college. ...
  4. Improve your financial aid eligibility. ...
  5. Learn how to evaluate aid packages. ...
  6. Get college credit on the cheap. ...
  7. Get a student job during college.

Why is college not free in America? ›

First, “free college” would completely sever the financial connection between the seller (colleges) and the customer (students). With the full expense of college falling on third parties (the taxpayers), students would no longer have any incentive to economize. Neither would colleges.

What percentage of college is paid for by spending from income? ›

How much do parents pay for college? During the 2021/2022 school year, the average parent covered about 43% of their student's college costs using income and savings.

What do colleges spend most of their money on? ›

Core expenses include the following broad categories: instruction; research and public service; academic support, student services, and institutional support; and other core expenses. Noncore expenses include auxiliary enterprises; hospital services; and independent operations.

What percent of students pay for their own college? ›

Sixty-one percent of four-year students are solely paying their education costs, and 29 percent are splitting costs with parents or family. Meanwhile, 71 percent of two-year students are paying all costs while only 19 percent are splitting costs with parents /family.

How much money do colleges get from the government? ›

At the postsecondary level, public colleges and universities spend $29,980 per pupil, 27.5% of which goes toward instruction. Federal funding for public postsecondary institutions averages $2,290 per pupil, up 6.64% year-over-year (YoY). States and local governments contribute a combined $8,030.

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