Great Basin College

1500 College Parkway
Elko, NV 89801
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • The mission of Great Basin College is to provide superior, student-centered, post-secondary education in central and northeastern Nevada. We provide five types of educational opportunities: university transfer courses, occupational and technical studies, developmental courses, community education and selected baccalaureate programs, along with student support services and special business-education partnerships.

School Highlights

Great Basin College serves 3,320 students (32% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 28:1 is lower than the state community college average of 31:1.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 66%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 3,320 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,700
  • Out-state tuition: $9,345
  • Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
  • Minority enrollment: 46%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Affordability

School Overview

The teacher population of 119 teachers has declined by 58% over five years.
Great Basin College
(NV) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private for-profit
Year Founded
1977
Campus Size
100 acres
Total Faculty
119 staff
32 staff
School Motto
Transforming Lives through Education!

Student Body

The student population of Great Basin College has declined by 11% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 28:1 has increased from 13:1 over five years.
The Great Basin College diversity score of 0.63 is less than the state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has grown by 12% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,320 students
3,225 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
31:1
# Full-Time Students
1,074 students
587 students
# Part-Time Students
2,246 students
2,638 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
3,320 students
587 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,074 students
587 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
14 students
14 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,246 students
3,030 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
1%
% Asian
3%
8%
% Hispanic
26%
35%
% Black
5%
10%
% White
54%
34%
% Hawaiian
1%
1%
% Two or more races
5%
7%
% Unknown races
4%
3%
Diversity Score
0.63
0.74
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.4826%
n/a
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,800
$31,100

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $2,700 is equal to the state average of $2,700. The in-state tuition has declined by 24% 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 declined by 27% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,700
$2,700
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,345
$9,345
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
61%
90%
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,654
$9,631
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,532
$5,125

Sports

Colors
Green and Gold
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Founded in 1967, Elkoans bootstrapped a community college, the state's first. Its founders, who called themselves the "Yo Yo Club" because of the ups and downs of the project, had rallied townspeople to the cause. A stir for a technical college had begun in the early 1960s. Fred Harris and Mark Chilton offered land in 1962 on the Mountain City Highway to the university regents for a campus. But the regents, amused, focused on surging Southern Nevada, which was to become the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1968. Our occupational and technical studies are developed to meet the demands of the local economy. Our programs lead to immediate and meaningful employment for our students. For the employer, we provide short- and long-range training programs that create a productive workforce that knows how to learn and to work in harmony with others. Elizabeth Griswold Hall, the College's newest residential hall, has opened its doors to students. Griswold Hall is another convenient option for new and continuing students. This hall is fully outfitted with high-speed Internet connections, a game room, group and individual study nooks, laundry rooms, and kitchen facilities. The Residence Suites on campus also offer apartment style living for individual and family students. Great Basin College is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. GBC is a member college of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Great Basin College cost?
Great Basin College's tuition is approximately $2,700 for In-State students and $9,345 for Out-State students.
What schools are Great Basin College often compared to?
Great Basin Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like College of Southern Nevada by visitors of our site.
What is Great Basin College's ranking?
Great Basin College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Nevada for: Least expensive tuition.

Recent Articles

Can Your Two-Year Degree Really Be Finished in Four Semesters?
Can Your Two-Year Degree Really Be Finished in Four Semesters?
Learn how to test whether a two-year community college degree can actually be completed in four semesters by checking prerequisites, course rotations, availability, sequencing, and hidden scheduling barriers.
Program Seat Test: Are You Really Admitted to Your Major?
Program Seat Test: Are You Really Admitted to Your Major?
Learn how to determine whether community college acceptance includes admission to your intended major, and evaluate selective programs, prerequisites, seat limits, deadlines, waitlists, and backup options before enrolling.
Build Your Community College First-Semester Stress Test
Build Your Community College First-Semester Stress Test
Build a realistic first-semester stress test before registration by checking course load, work hours, commuting, finances, family duties, study time, and support systems before your schedule becomes unmanageable later.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 3,320 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,700
  • Out-state tuition: $9,345
  • Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
  • Minority enrollment: 46%
  • 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 0.74, which is equal to the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in Nevada is Las Vegas College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links