University of Nevada Leads the Pack

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has claimed the top spot in Niche's 2026 Best Colleges in Nevada list, surpassing 15 other institutions. This achievement highlights UNR's dedication to academic excellence, affordability, and student satisfaction, as evaluated through student reviews, value metrics, and more. Close behind is the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) at No. 2.

Nationally, UNR holds the No. 204 position in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report National Universities rankings, a slight dip from its all-time high of No. 195 in 2024. UNLV ranks at No. 244 in the 2025 list—its best performance yet, improving from No. 269 in 2024. No other Nevada colleges appear in the top tiers of major national rankings.

University President Brian Sandoval shared his enthusiasm on X: "I am proud that the @unevadareno has topped the list for Nevada! I am grateful for all of our amazing faculty, staff and students that make our institution the special place it is!"

As Nevada's flagship public university, UNR stands out for its commitment to affordability, with in-state undergraduate tuition and fees clocking in at approximately $10,309 for the 2025-2026 academic year. This positions UNR among the nation's more budget-friendly options for flagship institutions—one per state—drawing comparisons to peers such as the University of New Mexico ($11,519) and the University of Idaho ($12,914). Out-of-state tuition, at around $28,941, sits above the national average of $24,513 for public universities, reflecting broader trends in higher education costs.