Top Universities in Nevada

Nevada's higher education system is anchored by two public research universities — the University of Nevada systems in Reno and Las Vegas — with significant recent growth driven by state population expansion.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
The largest university in Nevada by enrollment (~32,000 students) and growing rapidly as Las Vegas's population has expanded. UNLV's Hospitality College (William F. Harrah College of Hospitality) is one of the top hospitality management programs in the world — directly adjacent to the largest hospitality market globally. The William S. Boyd School of Law is one of the youngest fully ABA-accredited law schools in the US. UNLV's Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine (opened 2017) addresses Nevada's severe physician shortage; Nevada ranks near the bottom in physicians per capita.

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
The flagship research university of Nevada, with a long history (founded 1874) compared to UNLV. UNR has particularly strong programs in atmospheric science (the Desert Research Institute, a world-leading environmental science research organization), mining engineering, agriculture, and medicine (University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno). The Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering is named for John Mackay, the Comstock silver millionaire who funded it.

Desert Research Institute (DRI)
A division of the Nevada System of Higher Education — not a teaching university but a world-leading environmental science research institution with campuses in Reno and Las Vegas. DRI conducts research in atmospheric science, hydrology, earth sciences, and ecology. Its work on drought, wildfire, and climate in the Great Basin is nationally significant.

Nevada State College (Henderson)
A newer public college (2002) in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, filling the need between community college and research university. NSC's nursing and education programs serve the Las Vegas metro's workforce needs.

College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
The largest institution in the Nevada System of Higher Education by enrollment, CSN is a community college serving the Las Vegas metro with three campuses. The culinary and gaming management programs reflect the local industry.