Understanding UNLV Nursing Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Nursing offers accessible advanced education in nursing through its fully online graduate programs. These programs prepare students for in-demand specialties. For prospective nursing students, understanding the tuition costs and available financial aid options is crucial. This article provides a detailed overview of UNLV's nursing program costs, fees, and financial aid resources.

UNLV School of Nursing Programs

UNLV's School of Nursing provides diverse pathways for aspiring and current nurses. These include:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): This program offers specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Certified Nurse-Midwifery (CNM).
Post-Bachelor’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP): This track is for nurses holding a bachelor’s degree who seek the highest level of clinical training, specifically as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

All School of Nursing programs at UNLV are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Tuition and Fees Breakdown

Understanding the costs associated with UNLV's nursing programs is essential for financial planning. Tuition is calculated based on the number of credits taken per semester, at the published tuition rate. It is important to note that rates are subject to change, and students should consult the official UNLV website for the most up-to-date tuition information.

Tuition Costs

University of Nevada--Las Vegas' tuition is $9,748 for in-state and $27,411 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,422, University of Nevada--Las Vegas is cheaper. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,767. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price.

Read also: Mastering the UNLV Catalog

The School of Nursing operates on a differential tuition model. Students in nursing courses levels 100-200 pay the traditional per-credit fee of the University. The School of Nursing has a differential tuition of $156.75 for undergraduate students and $239.50 for graduate students.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, students are required to pay university fees, which support a wide range of essential services and resources that enhance the student experience both inside and outside the classroom. These fees may contribute to technology infrastructure, campus facilities, student support services, academic resources, health and wellness programs, and co-curricular opportunities.

Here are some of the fees:

Instructional and Graphic Design Support Fee: This fee provides instructional and graphic design support to faculty teaching online courses, which directly impacts the student learning experience.
Technology Fee: The technology fee covers resources and services that support student engagement and learning.
iNtegrate Fee: The iNtegrate fee helps fund MyUNLV and related applications. MyUNLV is the university’s main student information system. Students use it to easily access services they often need to manage the business of being a student.
Rebel Recycling Program Fee: This fee supports the UNLV Rebel Recycling Program operated by staff and student employees.
Student Union and Recreation Fee: This fee, instituted in 2010 with widespread student backing, supports the Student Union and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Orientation Fee: This fee directly supports staff members and student employees who serve as orientation leaders and assistants, all of whom are dedicated to serving students throughout their transition into UNLV.
GPSA Special Fee: This fee contributes to the activities listed in the GPSA Special Fee for graduate students.
Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee: This fee, instituted by GPSA and approved by the NSHE Board of Regents in 2013, funds health care for graduate students taking 9 or more credits and law students taking 12 or more credits.
International Student Fee: International students studying on an F1 visa pay a fee of $145 per semester, which is included in the calculations.
Graduation and Diploma Fee: A non-refundable $125 graduation and diploma fee, plus $20 if applying late, will post to your student account when you apply for graduation.

Differential Tuition

The Board of Regents of the State of Nevada approved a proposal in December 2010 for the School of Nursing, School of Business, School of Architecture, and Department of Physical Therapy at UNLV to implement differential tuition to these programs effective spring 2012.

Financial Aid Opportunities

UNLV offers various financial aid options to assist students in funding their education. In the 2024-25 academic year, more than 85% of UNLV undergraduates qualified for financial aid. The University of Nevada - Las Vegas offers federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans according to the FAFSA. Interested students should inquire with the financial aid office at UNLV.

Read also: Opportunity Scholarships at UNLV

Scholarships

In a partnership with generous donors, the School of Nursing can award scholarships to qualifying undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pursuing a degree in nursing at UNLV. Scholarships can be awarded based on GPA, financial need, in-state residency, and/or class rank - qualifications that are established by the private donor, the School of Nursing, and UNLV. Note: the scholarships awarded may vary year-to-year based upon continued funding.

Additional Resources

UNLV provides calculators and worksheets to help students determine their tuition and fees, how much they need to save, and how much aid they'll need. The University also has a Tuition Estimator page for a better understanding of the costs and fees with your tuition.

Program-Specific Curriculum and Costs

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas online nursing programs feature specialized coursework tailored to each advanced practice role. Here's a breakdown of the curriculum and associated credits for each MSN specialty track and the BSN-to-DNP track:

MSN Core Curriculum

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas online nursing programs feature specialized coursework tailored to each advanced practice role.

MSN - FNP Specialty Curriculum

For the MSN-FNP track, students complete a total of 46 credits. In addition to common MSN core courses, specialty coursework includes family theory and health promotion; FNP adult and women’s health; FNP children and OB; and FNP geriatric and chronic illness.

MSN - PMHNP Specialty Curriculum

The MSN-PMHNP track also requires 46 credits. In addition to common MSN core courses, specialty coursework includes family theory and health promotion; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner I and III; psychopharmacology across the lifespan.

MSN - CNM Specialty Curriculum

The CNM-MSN track comprises 53 credits. Core nursing courses are paired with focused midwifery classes covering midwifery I-IV; professional issues in nurse midwifery; and midwifery practicum I-III.

BSN-to-DNP Curriculum

The BSN-to-DNP-FNP track requires completion of 70 credits. It expands on MSN foundations with courses in health systems science and quality improvement; advanced statistics and methods for doctor of nursing practice; healthcare issues and the law; organizational management for the advanced practice nurse; population health: analysis and evaluation; analysis and economics of healthcare systems and delivery; family theory and health promotion; translational evidence for healthcare systems; nursing informatics for advanced practice; DNP forum & role transformation; and dissemination of DNP Scholarly Work.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students should be aware of the admission requirements for each program:

MSN Program

Applicants must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
All applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in their state of residence, where clinicals will be completed.
Application materials include an application and fee, a resume or CV, official transcripts, proof of RN licensure, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
At least one year of clinical experience as an RN aligned with their chosen program specialty is required.

BSN-to-DNP-FNP Track

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75.
Hold an active, unrestricted RN license in their state.
Submit a detailed resume, professional goal statement, and three recommendation letters.

General Admission Requirements

Beginning in Fall 2013, students admitted to UNLV must take the SAT or ACT. You also can take an ACT Residual Exam or Math 095 and ENG 098, which are pre-requisite classes for Math 124 and ENG101. Math 095 and ENG 098 are non-credit classes. Students have to be officially admitted to UNLV and all transcripts evaluated by the Admissions Office prior to setting up an advisement appointment with a Pre-Nursing advisor. The Office of Admissions must evaluate all transcripts.

State Restrictions

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, accepts students from Alaska, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah into the online nursing programs. All other states are restricted. Out-of-state students in the approved states should verify admissions eligibility with the UNLV School of Nursing and certification eligibility with their State Board of Nursing.

Online Experience and On-Site Requirements

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas utilizes WebCampus powered by Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are delivered asynchronously with campus visits required. While the University of Nevada, Las Vegas online nursing programs deliver the majority of coursework asynchronously online, students are required to participate in essential on-campus components. Across the programs, several additional on-campus visits are scheduled for skills labs, simulation experiences, competency assessments, and workshops. For example, FNP students are required to return to campus up to seven times for hands-on training, OSCEs, and presentation of their culminating project. Programs begin each fall semester with a mandatory two-day orientation held on campus prior to the start of classes. Clinical placements are guaranteed within the greater Las Vegas metro area for students holding a Nevada RN license. Most coursework is completed online in an asynchronous format, allowing students flexibility.

Additional Information

Transfer Credits

Yes, some courses are transferable and must be reviewed by the Health Sciences Advising Center. Yes, but this must be approved by the pre-nursing advisor.

Program Length

A Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing takes 16 months once you have been admitted to the Traditional BSN Track. Students are admitted in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Pre-Nursing Admission

Students are admitted into Pre-Nursing at any semester without a waiting list.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate

The School of Nursing has a high pass rate for the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX- RN). Passing the NCLEX-RN is required to practice in the United States.

Cost of Attendance

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At University of Nevada--Las Vegas, the total cost is $26,826 for in-state students and $43,782 for out-of-state students. Factors are determined from student surveys, UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Composite Cost of Living Index. For students in programs that lead to professional licensure, the cost of attendance will also include estimated costs associated with obtaining the license.

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