Perhaps you’re a Nevada resident who loves your hometown and doesn’t want to relocate for grad school. Or maybe you want to move to Nevada for professional opportunities or personal growth. With no state income tax, beautiful recreation in all directions, and abundant schools to choose from, you’ll find many reasons to pursue your online master’s degree in the Silver State.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate looking to expand your education or an experienced employee who wants to see what else is out there, attending graduate school can allow you to find success and fulfillment in your career.
This guide highlights online master’s programs in Nevada, outline the fields of study to consider for your postgraduate degree, and elaborates on the outlooks for various career paths. Keep reading to learn about the best schools offering an online master’s degree in the state of NV.
2024’s Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Nevada
According to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), the state features four community colleges, three state colleges, two colleges that offer doctoral programs, and one environmental research college. You’ll find several major universities in Nevada offering online master’s degrees across several areas of study. Some of these programs are full-time online, while others are hybrid programs where you’ll attend classes both virtually and physically. If you plan on studying in a field requiring hands-on learning, such as health-related coursework, you may be required to attend class at least occasionally on campus or at a facility in the field.
While everyone’s definition of “best” will differ, the following three universities offer a variety of quality master’s programs in Nevada with flexible study options and reasonable costs. Even if these programs aren’t the perfect fit for you, you can use these spotlights as a benchmark to compare against other schools.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is a Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)-accredited college that offers several online master’s degrees in a range of programs, such as educational psychology, materials and nuclear engineering, nursing, public health, and urban leadership. The university also offers executive master’s degrees in healthcare administration and hospitality administration, both of which can be completed online.
Tuition for online graduate students is quite affordable at $321.75 per credit; students living out of state can expect to pay about $354 per credit more than those living in state. The university offers various forms of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, and waivers. One example of the outstanding support services offered to UNLV grad students is called the Student Support Spot, which connects students with housing, food, mental health, transportation, digital access, and childcare.
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is an NWCCU-accredited college that offers 14 online master’s programs in several fields, including accounting, business, cybersecurity, education, healthcare, and social work. Specific to tuition, you’ll typically pay $321.75 per credit (with an additional $161 per-credit fee for non-residents), though some online master’s programs may charge different rates.
If you need financial aid, the university offers scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, and loans you’ll have to repay with interest. The university has many mental health and wellness resources, including individual and group therapy, psychiatry, addiction counseling, and LGBTQIA+ resources and services. It also has a Graduate Student Association, which has several fitness, academic, and social clubs, as well as a free Student Health Center offering nutrition services.
Nevada State University
Nevada State University is a public university located in Henderson, Nevada. It is an NWCCU-accredited college that offers a hybrid master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Full-time applications are available each year, while part-time applications are open every third year — with the next openings expected in Fall 2025.
The program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. In addition to graduating from an accredited institution, you’ll need to pass an exam and gain 300 hours of supervised clinical practice to get licensure to practice in Nevada. You’ll pay $255.50 per credit for tuition, but online students will also pay a distance education fee of $25 per credit; you’ll also pay an additional non-resident fee if you are living out of state.
Available Options for Online Master’s Degrees in Nevada
If you’re committed to earning an online master’s degree in Nevada, you have several options, including full-time, part-time or hybrid, accelerated, and no-GRE programs. Factors you should think about when selecting an appropriate online program include your professional status, personal life, and costs. While researching online master’s degrees in Nevada, you’ll want to consider the following program types:
Full-Time Online Master’s Programs in Nevada
If you can dedicate yourself to a full course load in your master’s program, you may want to entertain the option of enrolling in a full-time online master’s program. You’ll find several online master’s degrees in Nevada that accommodate this schedule. You can apply for UNLV’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology program — a 33-credit hour program — or UNR’s online Master of Science in Cybersecurity, a 30- to 36-credit hour program.
Part-Time Online Master’s Programs in Nevada
When you research part-time online master’s degrees in Nevada, you’ll find programs that better accommodate a demanding schedule — but of course, the flip side is it’ll take you longer to complete your program and graduate. Here are two examples of these part-time programs in Nevada: UNR offers an online Master of Education in Reading Curriculum and Instruction, for which you can take up to six years to complete. Or UNLV offers a self-paced, 30-credit Executive Master of Hospitality Administration degree.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Nevada
Many students are interested in pursuing a master’s degree, but they’re not big fans of the idea of taking the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE. This test has commonly been used to assess graduate school readiness, but in recent years, more schools are opting to not require this test and becoming no-GRE master’s programs; research shows the test may not reliably predict readiness or success. Two state-specific examples of no-GRE master’s programs in Nevada include UNR’s online Executive Master of Business Administration (E-MBA) and UNR’s online Master of Justice Management degree.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Nevada
If you’re interested in completing your master’s degree quickly, an accelerated program may be ideal for you. In some cases, you may be able to earn your master’s degree in as little as one year. You’ll find a few examples of accelerated online master’s programs in Nevada, including UNLV’s Master of Arts in Urban Science program — a 15-month program consisting of 12 three-credit courses enroll in three courses every six weeks and complete their coursework over four semesters.
Another option is UNR’s online Master of Science in Business Analytics. This program requires students to complete 10 classes after completing a self-paced three-hour boot camp consisting of programming languages such as R and Python.
Fields of Study for Master’s Degree Programs in NV
Business
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can prepare you for roles such as a general or operations manager. It can also lead to a career in accounting, marketing, or human resources. Another example of a popular business degree is in the field of accounting, which will prepare you for a future role in finance or leadership.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Computer Science & Data Analytics
If you enjoy tech and want to dedicate your career to it, consider a master’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. Software developers are in demand everywhere, with an average of 189,200 projected job openings annually expected from 2020 to 2030 — meaning this online master’s degree can lead you to a high-growth field.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Education
For students interested in a career in education, you’ll have many paths to consider, such as educational psychology, teaching, or administration. According to the BLS, the education field is expected to grow nationally by approximately 48,000 to 110,000 job openings annually until 2030, and school counselors will see about 35,000 expected job openings each year. So pursuing an online master’s program in education can open you up to several job opportunities.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Healthcare
Whether you want to work directly with patients or want a more administrative role in healthcare, you’ll find that an online master’s program can effectively prepare you for a career in healthcare. You can become a nurse practitioner, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, or healthcare administrator. According to the BLS, nurse practitioners make an average of $111,680 a year, with about 26,000 job openings expected annually until 2030 — so a master’s in nursing can lead to a promising future.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Psychology
If you find digging into human behavior, patterns, and biology fascinating, earning a master’s degree in psychology is an excellent career path. With many subspecialties to choose from — including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and school psychology — you can earn an affordable online master’s degree in whichever field interests you the most. And with a median pay of $85,330 and an anticipated growth rate of 6% through 2032, psychology is a promising career field for online master’s students.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Is Tuition Affordable for Online Master’s Students in Nevada?
While tuition is likely the most pressing concern as you research possible online master’s degrees in Nevada, the reality is that the costs to pursue your graduate degree can vary widely. Some of the factors that affect tuition include residency status, the type of school (private or public), and the type of program (bachelor’s or master’s).
Understanding these factors can help you identify schools within your budget and determine whether or not you need financial aid. Check out the following tuition costs for various online master’s programs in Nevada.
| Program | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
54 | $13,797 | ||
36 | $11,583 | ||
30 | $25,500 |
Nevada Online Degree Funding Options
If you want to get a master’s degree but are worried about financial constraints, you’ll have various financial aid opportunities you can seek. One option is to apply for scholarships, which can pay for your education partially or entirely, depending on the donating organization. You can also apply for fellowships, which can help with the financial burden of tuition, expose you to work that challenges you and improves your skills, and allow you to network with leaders in your field.
Another financial aid option is Federal Work Study, which allows graduate students to work part time while in school to pay for their tuition. If you’re interested in this type of financial aid, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has a Federal Work-Study Program. As you search for online master’s degrees in Nevada, prepare to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which allows you to qualify for federal work-study, federal student loans, and university grants and scholarships.
Career Outlooks for Master’s Graduates in NV
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration can earn $57,133 annually; in contrast, a newly minted master’s degree-holder can earn $84,580 — a difference of $27,447!
So if you’ve been thinking of ways to increase your annual income, getting a master’s degree can help you do just that. Learning about the careers that require a master’s degree can help you pick one that aligns with your career goals. Explore the following occupations that may offer higher salary with and/or require a master’s degree, as well as their median salaries and job growth rates.
Economist
A master’s degree in economics or a related subject can help you improve your skills in the business and economic sectors. As an economist, you’ll likely be charged with giving valuable advice as a financial advisor or understanding a budget and how its allocation can impact an economy.
| NV Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Online Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| $82,744 | 6% | UNR — Master of Accountancy |
Source: ZipRecruiter, 2023; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Social Work
While you can work in social work with a bachelor’s degree, securing a master’s degree in social work can increase your annual income, prepare you for a leadership role, and allow you to transition from another career into social work. If these sound like potential career goals for you, and you enjoy working with individuals and groups to handle social challenges, consider applying for an online master’s program in social work.
| NV Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Online Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| $67,669 | 7% | UNR — MSW |
Source: Indeed, 2023; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Speech-Language Pathologist
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), you’ll need to complete graduate education from an accredited institution to gain licensure and become a speech-language pathologist. Earning a master’s degree will also help you gain clinical experience, which allows you to improve your hands-on skills so you can diagnose and treat various speech and communication disorders.
| Las Vegas Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Online Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| $92,790 | 19% | Nevada State University — MEd in Speech-Language Pathology |
Source: Salary.com, 2023; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Graphic Designer
Because graphic design is such an in-demand career, when you hold a master’s degree in the field, you’ll be well-positioned to stand out in a field of qualified candidates. During your master’s program, you’ll gain experience and skills that help build your portfolio and increase your networks in the industry, which can lead to career advancement.
| Las Vegas Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Online Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| $44,616 | 3% | UNR — MFA |
Source: Indeed.com, 2023; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Epidemiologist
An epidemiologist understands how a disease affects an entire population, which can inform health policies and build the foundation for health education. If you have a medical background, a master’s degree in epidemiology can make you a better healthcare provider because you’ll be able to understand disease in an individual and a community.
| NV Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Online Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| $107,730 | 27% | UNR — MPH |
Source: Salary.com, 2023; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023