Western Nevada College

2201 West College Parkway
Carson City, NV 89703
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Western Nevada College is a public, open admissions college dedicated to providing affordable, quality educational opportunities for those residing in our seven-county service area. Our students come from a variety of social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and vary in their reasons for attending our college; some are the first in their family to attend college while others hold post-graduate degrees. Western Nevada College welcomes all who desire the opportunity to learn. The strength of our college emanates from its diversity, and we affirm the right of all to pursue and disseminate knowledge free of discrimination and prejudice. All members of the college community ' faculty, support staff, and administrators ' are committed to the values of free and unfettered inquiry; tolerance of, and respect for, difference; the nurturing of human potential; good citizenship; and civility. These values are reflected in all of the college's policies and practices.

School Highlights

Western Nevada College serves 3,495 students (34% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 59%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 3,495 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,700
  • Out-state tuition: $9,345
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 37%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Western Nevada College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Nevada for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 304 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Western Nevada College
(NV) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
304 staff
90 staff
This chart display total faculty of Western Nevada College and community college average number of faculty in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Western Nevada College has declined by 5% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has decreased from 12:1 over five years.
The Western Nevada College diversity score of 0.54 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has declined by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,495 students
3,772 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Western Nevada College and community college average number of enrollment of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
16:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Western Nevada College and community college average student staff ratio of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,175 students
1,062 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Western Nevada College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
2,320 students
2,710 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Western Nevada College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Western Nevada College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of NV.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
218 students
229 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,175 students
1,062 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Western Nevada College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
14 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,320 students
2,710 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
16 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
100 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Asian
2%
9%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of Asian community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
24%
29%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
1%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of Black community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
63%
41%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of White community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
6%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Western Nevada College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
4%
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Western Nevada College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in NV.
Diversity Score
0.54
0.73
This chart display the diversity score of Western Nevada College and the community college average diversity score of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years) (Year 2007)
20%
28%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
1.97%
1.97%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$32,800
$32,800
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Western Nevada College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of NV by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $2,700 is equal to the state average of $2,700. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $9,345 is equal to the state average of $9,345. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,700
$2,700
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Western Nevada College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,345
$9,345
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Western Nevada College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
88%
88%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Western Nevada College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,000
$9,763
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Western Nevada College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$7,177
$4,749
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Western Nevada College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in NV by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
90%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Western Nevada College is a comprehensive community college that serves more than 5,000 students each year within a five-county area, spanning more than 10,000 square miles. One of four community colleges in the Nevada System of Higher Education, it is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Documents detailing accreditation approval are available at the WNC library. Western offers a diverse curriculum that is tailored to meet students` individual educational goals. By offering multiple college degree, certificate and career-building programs, smaller class sizes, and personalized counseling opportunities, WNC helps to ensure students a positive and successful college experience.
  • WNC reaches out to its urban and rural communities with campuses in Carson City, Fallon and Minden/Gardnerville. In addition, distance education offerings, including interactive video and online classes, allow those in widespread locations access to higher education.
  • The college offers academic degrees, certificates and certifications that can lead to diverse careers and transfer to a university or state college. Areas of study include business, liberal arts, sciences, technologies, fine arts, humanities, and more. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees prepare students for university transfer in many fields of the arts, social sciences and physical sciences. A sampling of program areas include information technology, law, geographic information systems, criminal justice, graphic communications, and musical theatre. Students may complete up to two years of many baccalaureate degree programs, including teacher preparation, for transfer to a state college or university. WNC also offers a four-year Bachelor of Technology degree in Construction Management and a partnership with Nevada State College to prepare teachers and other skilled workers with bachelor`s degrees, without having to leave the area.
  • Students can attain WNC Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, automated systems, auto mechanics, business, criminal justice, computer information technology, computer networking, construction technology, deaf studies, general industrial technology, graphic communications, machine tool technology, management, nursing, or welding technology. In response to industry needs, the college also offers specialized training programs in construction, machine tool, drafting, welding, computing and other technical areas. Customization often includes providing specialized instruction at the times and locations most convenient to employers, including on-site programs. Workplace certification preparation programs include Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Bookkeeping, Certified Inspector of Structures, Certified Nursing Assistant, Cisco Certified Networking Associate, CompTIA Security+, Deaf Studies-Interpreting, Emergency Medical Services, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified IT Specialist, Phlebotomy/Venipuncture, and Welding. Western`s faculty is recognized as highly educated and accessible to students. Faculty dedication is reflected in the college`s commitment to free and unfettered inquiry; tolerance and respect for differences; development of critical thinking skills; and good citizenship.
  • WNC students represent the individualism and diversity of our society. They enter college with different goals and expectations. WNC offers them opportunities to pursue their career dreams in a more affordable and nurturing environment.
  • WNC's main campus, located in the Silver State's capital, offers students an interesting blend of environments: the comfortable pace of a small city combined with the political bustle of state government. The Carson City campus is also close to some of the best scenery and outdoor recreation in the West. The campus rests on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the spectacular beauty of Lake Tahoe is only 12 miles away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Western Nevada College cost?
Western Nevada College's tuition is approximately $2,700 for In-State students and $9,345 for Out-State students.
What is Western Nevada College's ranking?
Western Nevada College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Nevada for: Least expensive tuition.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 3,495 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,700
  • Out-state tuition: $9,345
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 37%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Nevada public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $2,700 per year for in-state students and $9,345 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $14,315 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Nevada community colleges have a diversity score of 0.73, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Nevada is Northwest Career College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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