University of Nevada, Las Vegas

No, UNLV is not difficult to get into. It admitted about 83.9% of roughly 15,300 first-year applicants in the most recent cycle, making it lightly selective. Applicants who meet the academic benchmarks UNLV publishes have strong odds, since the review weighs grades and course rigor far more than the holistic factors selective schools emphasize.

Enrolled first-years average a 3.40 high school GPA, and academic GPA along with the rigor of your course load are the two factors UNLV rates as very important. UNLV publishes a guaranteed-admission path for Nevada students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA in the required college-prep courses, so a solid B average in a real college-prep schedule puts you in a competitive position.

No, UNLV is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1030–1240 on the SAT and 18–24 on the ACT. Scores are weighed only as a considered factor and are also used for course placement, so submitting a strong score can help but is never required.

Yes, a 1200 is above average for UNLV. It sits near the 75th-percentile mark of 1240, comfortably above the median of 1130 among enrolled first-years who submitted scores. With UNLV's middle 50% at 1030–1240, a 1200 places you in the upper tier of the admitted profile.

No, UNLV does not require or consider an admissions essay for general first-year admission. The Common Data Set lists the application essay as a not-considered factor, so the decision rests mainly on your GPA and the rigor of your high school courses. An essay matters far more if you apply to competitive scholarships, honors programs, or selective majors that ask for one.

Out-of-state applicants have good odds at UNLV, which admits about 84% of first-year applicants overall and does not list state residency or geographical residence as factors in its admission review. Only about 11% of first-years come from out of state, so non-residents are a small share of the class, but the same academic benchmarks apply regardless of where you live. The main difference for non-residents is cost rather than difficulty of admission.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $10,479 for Nevada residents and $28,392 for out-of-state students. Roughly 65% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $12,069, and UNLV's low in-state price keeps it among the more affordable public research universities in the West.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, followed by education and psychology at around 10% to 11% each. UNLV is best known for its Harrah College of Hospitality, consistently ranked among the top hospitality programs in the world, alongside strong health professions, computing, and life sciences programs.