Washington State University (WSU) vs University of Nevada-Reno (UNR)

Washington State University (WSU) and University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. WSU, located in Pullman, Washington, boasts a higher acceptance rate (73%) compared to UNR's 82%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with WSU excelling in fields like Agriculture, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine, while UNR is known for its strengths in Business, Education, and Health Sciences. WSU's student body is slightly larger, with over 30,000 students, while UNR has a more intimate community of around 20,000 students. In terms of graduation rates, WSU has a slight edge over UNR, with a 6-year graduation rate of 68% compared to UNR's 65%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess

	University of Nevada-Reno	Washington State University
Overview
Location	Reno, Nevada	Pullman, Washington
Campus setting	City: Large	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	78.0%	81.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.2%	85.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1060 - 1270	N/A
ACT range	20 - 26	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	12.0%
Students submitting ACT score	60.0%
Total number of applicants	9,421	18,197
Total number of admissions given out	8,306	15,607
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,412	4,007
Yield rate	41.1%	25.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,796 Out of state: $42,888	In state: $28,767 Out of state: $44,083
Average net price	$16,398	$11,877
Tuition	In state: $7,470 Out of state: $23,562	In state: $10,457 Out of state: $25,773
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,850 Meal plan: $5,792	Room/dormitory: $7,400 Meal plan: $4,350
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $7,232	86.0% Average amount $9,993
Students receiving federal student loan	29.0% Average amount $5,001	27.0% Average amount $5,042
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $12,013	3.0% Average amount $15,454

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	17,025 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	24,278 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	4,009 Men 39.3% Women 60.7%	5,565 Men 44.7% Women 55.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	26.1%	15.2%
International students	2.8%	5.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	3,524	7,043
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Nevada California Hawaii Oregon Washington	Washington California Oregon Idaho Hawaii

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Social Sciences	Business Engineering Social Sciences Health Professions Education
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.7%	59.5%
Dropout rate	34.1%	38.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,016 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $106,685 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $89,037 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,780 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $86,482 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $82,783 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,402 Year 2: $67,473 Year 3: $78,990 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,203 Year 2: $66,169 Year 3: $77,729 Psychology, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $75,701 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,757 Year 2: $69,161 Year 3: $74,927 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,629 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $73,298 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $56,591 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $71,617	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $143,888 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,911 Year 2: $123,178 Year 3: $127,531 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,080 Year 2: $100,915 Year 3: $120,737 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,957 Year 2: $112,073 Year 3: $119,910 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $106,275 Year 2: $105,813 Year 3: $117,478 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $82,971 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $96,760 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,468 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $88,746 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,693 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $81,535 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,112 Year 2: $68,808 Year 3: $80,939 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,531 Year 2: $72,881 Year 3: $79,650

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR)?

WSU and UNR differ primarily in location, size, and academic focus. WSU, located in Pullman, Washington, is a larger, more comprehensive research university with a strong emphasis on agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. UNR, situated in Reno, Nevada, is a mid-sized university known for its programs in mining engineering, journalism, and environmental science. WSU generally has a more rural campus environment, while UNR offers a more urban setting.
Which university is larger: Washington State University or the University of Nevada-Reno?

Washington State University is significantly larger than the University of Nevada-Reno. WSU has a higher total enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
Where are Washington State University and the University of Nevada-Reno located?

Washington State University is located in Pullman, Washington, a small college town in the southeastern part of the state. The University of Nevada-Reno is located in Reno, Nevada, a mid-sized city in the western part of the state, near the Sierra Nevada mountains.
What are the popular academic programs at Washington State University?

Washington State University is well-regarded for its programs in agriculture, engineering (particularly aerospace and mechanical), veterinary medicine, business, and communication. They also have a strong presence in the sciences.
What are the popular academic programs at the University of Nevada-Reno?

The University of Nevada-Reno is known for its programs in mining engineering, journalism, environmental science, business, and education. They also have growing programs in health sciences and computer science.
How do the tuition costs compare between WSU and UNR?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, UNR tends to have slightly lower tuition rates than WSU. However, out-of-state tuition at WSU and UNR can be comparable. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
What is the campus culture like at Washington State University?

WSU has a strong sense of community and school spirit, often centered around its athletic programs, particularly football. The campus environment is generally considered friendly and welcoming, with a focus on tradition and student involvement. Greek life is also a significant part of the social scene.
What is the campus culture like at the University of Nevada-Reno?

UNR offers a more diverse campus culture, reflecting the urban environment of Reno. While athletics are important, there's also a strong emphasis on outdoor activities, arts, and cultural events. The campus is known for its growing research opportunities and a more independent student body.
What are the research opportunities like at WSU and UNR?

Both WSU and UNR are research universities, offering various opportunities for students to get involved in research. WSU has a strong research focus in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine, while UNR excels in areas like environmental science, seismology, and renewable energy. Students should explore specific departments and faculty to find research opportunities that align with their interests.
How do the athletic programs compare between WSU and UNR?

WSU competes in the Pac-12 Conference, a major athletic conference, offering a high level of competition in sports like football, basketball, and baseball. UNR competes in the Mountain West Conference, which is also a competitive conference. Both universities have a strong athletic tradition and offer a variety of sports for students to participate in or support.
What are the career services like at Washington State University and the University of Nevada-Reno?

Both WSU and UNR offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, resume writing, and interview preparation. They both host career fairs and provide resources for students to connect with employers in their fields of study. Students should utilize these services early and often to maximize their career prospects.
Which university is better for students interested in agriculture?

Washington State University is generally considered to be a stronger choice for students specifically interested in agriculture due to its long-standing reputation and extensive programs in this field. However, UNR also offers programs related to agriculture and environmental science that may be suitable depending on the student's specific interests.
Which university is better for students interested in mining engineering?

The University of Nevada-Reno is widely recognized for its strong mining engineering program. It has a long history and close ties to the mining industry in Nevada and the surrounding region, making it a top choice for students in this field.
What kind of financial aid opportunities are available at WSU and UNR?

Both Washington State University and the University of Nevada-Reno offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal and state aid. Additionally, both universities offer institutional scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, or specific program requirements. Check each university's financial aid website for details and deadlines.

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