About

About University of Nevada-Reno

high research activityaccessible admissionshealth sciences focusnevada flagship universitytest optional

University of Nevada-Reno is a public research university in Reno, NV, known for its high research activity, accessible admissions, and health sciences focus. With an acceptance rate of 86%, UNR is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 3,296 students each year. UNR is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1070–1270, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. UNR offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $8,661 per year; the sticker price of $43,035 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

University of Nevada-Reno acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

86%
Overall Accept Rate
3.25
Typical Admitted GPA
1170
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1070 – 1270 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of Nevada-Reno

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
UNR rates essays as very low importance in admissions decisions, so do not spend excessive time perfecting your personal statement at the expense of other parts of your application like your activity list or scholarship applications.
Application Strategy
If you are interested in engineering, mining, or environmental science, UNR has strong programs in those fields that are tied to Nevada's economy, so naming your specific program and connecting it to regional industries like technology and natural resources will make your application feel purposeful.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What University of Nevada-Reno actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$43k/yr$12.7k
30k-48k~$43k/yr$13.1k
48k-75k~$43k/yr$14.5k
75k-110k~$43k/yr$18.3k
110k+~$43k/yr$21.6k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

62%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
15,427
Undergrad Enrollment
University of Nevada-Reno Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch