U of A vs. UNLV

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than UNLV based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 32,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Nevada Las Vegas is in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1.

U of A vs. UNLV Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or UNLV? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nevada Las Vegas than U of A ($11,553 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 24.6% lower than at University of Arizona ($12,628 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 42.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNLV (about $4,178 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at U of A than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (about $14,867 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $27,411.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 78.5% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($13,776 vs. $7,717).

U of A vs. UNLV Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or UNLV? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNLV and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 160 points higher than at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming U of A students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UNLV - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of A students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 36.2% at UNLV.

U of A vs. UNLV Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and UNLV? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than UNLV graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $18 lower median loan debt than UNLV graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,018).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Nevada Las Vegas and U of A graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($196 vs. $196).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.