Western Nevada College
Tel:
(775)445-3000
- 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 3,951 students (33% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 33:1 is lower than the state community college average of 37:1.
- Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 53%.
- Western Nevada College is the only community colleges within Carson City County, NV.
- The nearest community college to Western Nevada College is Lake Tahoe Community College (20.4 miles away).
Top Placements
Western Nevada College places among the top 20% of community colleges in Nevada for:
- Category Attribute
- Affordability Least expensive tuition
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
- The teacher population of 119 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Western Nevada College | (NV) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Associate of Arts Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs | At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs |
| Institution Control | Public | Private, for profit |
| Total Faculty | 119 staff | 40 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 3,951 students | 3,024 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 33:1 | 37:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 1,285 students | 919 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 2,666 students | 2,105 students |
 |  | |
| % American Indian/Alaskan | 2% | 1% |
| % Asian | 1% | 8% |
| % Hispanic | 16% | 24% |
| % Black | 1% | 8% |
| % White | 73% | 47% |
| % Hawaiian | - | 1% |
| % Two or more races | 2% | 3% |
| % Unknown races | 4% | 7% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.44 | 0.70 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate (Year 2007) | 20% | 50% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $32,800 | $30,300 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) 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.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Western Nevada College is Lake Tahoe Community College (20.4 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 2,419 students | 20.40 MiOne College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530)541-4660 20.402,419 - Career College of Northern NevadaPrivate, for profit401 students | 24.80 Mi1421 Pullman Dr.
Sparks, NV 89434
(775)856-2266 24.80401 - 11,106 students | 26.50 Mi7000 Dandini Blvd
Reno, NV 89512
(775)673-7000 26.5011,106 - Folsom Lake CollegePublic7,942 students | 80.40 Mi10 College Parkway
Folsom, CA 95630
(916)608-6572 80.407,942 - Sierra CollegePublic18,565 students | 81.20 Mi5000 Rocklin Road
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916)624-3333 81.2018,565
Recent Articles
Learn about 10 of the best jobs in health care that you can land with just a two-year degree from your local community college.
The cost of obtaining a college degree is high, especially at private universities. Students can save a great deal by choosing community college, but there are still other costs to consider. Read on to learn what costs to expect in community college and to learn some essential money management tips.
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Unfortunately, many community college students find that their academic chain in school is full of weak links. Read on to learn the challenges that keep community college students from achieving success and what schools and students can do to resolve those issues.
