University of Nevada-Reno vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Reno in Reno, NV with California State University Chico in Chico, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Reno is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (23,024 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Reno is located in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting); California State University Chico is in Chico, CA (Small City setting).
• University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nevada Reno 17:1; California State University Chico 23:1.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Nevada-Reno or CSU? 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 California State University Chico than University of Nevada-Reno ($14,630 vs. $17,226).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 12.1% lower than at California State University Chico ($14,496 vs. $16,500).
• University of Nevada Reno is 13.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $1,106 more per year; $9,578.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at University of Nevada-Reno than at California State University Chico (about $6,648 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at California State University Chico (93% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 56.1% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($11,509 vs. $7,375).

University of Nevada-Reno vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Nevada-Reno or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and University of Nevada-Reno.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Nevada Reno (1180) is 110 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290; California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Nevada Reno 19/26; California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional; CSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027; CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman University of Nevada-Reno students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno vs. 10.2% at CSU.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Nevada-Reno and CSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $1,801 lower median loan debt than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($17,000 vs. $18,801).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($175 vs. $194).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 64%)

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.