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There are many colleges in Nevada. This article will focus on public colleges in Nevada and their surrounding area. Nevada is the driest state in the United States, primarily a semi-arid desert and that we’ve sectioned into Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada. These two areas in Nevada are unique and each has public universities and community colleges to choose from.
Going to College in Northern Nevada
Any location you call home in Northern Nevada will guarantee a variety of dining, entertainment, and a ton of outdoor activities. Northern Nevada is also home to Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is known for its panoramic mountain views surrounding a lake with crystal clear water. It is the highest lake in the United States and sits at 6,229 feet above sea level and the second deepest.
The City of Reno is also in Northern Nevada. Reno is a popular gambling destination but has many other things to offer as well such as boutique hotels, craft breweries, and a thriving art scene. No matter what you enjoy, Reno has a lot to offer and is also the home of the University of Nevada.
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
The University of Nevada, Reno is located just north of downtown Reno. Its campus focuses on sustainability so it offers bike and pedestrian paths throughout its campus which is also home to over 200 species of trees. College students attending UNR enjoy easy access to the variety of activities Reno has to offer and Lake Tahoe is a quick, 45-minute drive away. For students wanting to explore other destinations, Las Vegas in southern Nevada and Sacramento and San Francisco in California are close options.
UNR has about 20.000 students and offers degree programs for just about everyone. They are members of the Mountain West Conference and participate in ten women’s sports and six men’s sports. Their main mascot is a wolf called Alphie! If you’re not into sports, there are also plenty of other organizations, recreational clubs, and on-campus living opportunities for you as well.
Community Colleges in Northern Nevada
Though the University of Nevada is the largest school in Nevada, there are also a variety of community colleges.
- Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), Reno
- Western Nevada College, Carson City
- Great Basin College, Elko
Going to College in Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada is located in the Mojave Desert and is home to Las Vegas, the largest city in Nevada. Las Vegas is a city that never closes. There is an abundance of casinos, live shows, food, concerts, and wild nightlife that hosts tourists from all over the world!
If you’re not into partying, Southern Nevada also offers an abundance of outdoor activities as well. The Mojave Desert and the Great Basin Desert cover all or most of Southern Nevada. There are also lakes such as Lake Mead, Lake Las Vegas, and the Ivanpah Dry Lake which offers a variety of water sports, hiking, and outdoor activities as well.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is located just adjacent to the strip in the city of Paradise. Paradise does have most of the Las Vegas strip located inside of the boundaries and has an international airport. It has around 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers a variety of degrees. They are also members of the Mountain West Conference and are known as the UNLV Rebels.
Nevada State University (NSU)
Nevada State University is a smaller state college that sits on 511 acres and is located in Henderson, Nevada. Because it sits at the base of Mount Scorpion, their mascot is appropriately named Scorpion. NSC offers over 25 bachelor’s degree programs and over 15 minors. It also offers one of the first bachelors of science degrees for the deaf and hard of hearing. Though this school does not participate in competitive sports, it does have club sports, student organizations, and recreational clubs. There is no on-campus living but there are many apartment opportunities nearby!
Community Colleges in Southern Nevada
For students looking to attend a community college, the College of Southern Nevada has various campuses across Southern Nevada.