University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and one of the most diverse campuses in the country, where Hispanic students make up about 38% of undergraduates and no single group forms a majority. It enrolls nearly 28,000 undergraduates and admits roughly 84% of applicants, with enrolled first-years averaging a 3.40 high school GPA and middle-50% SAT scores of 1030–1240. UNLV is best known for its Harrah College of Hospitality, regularly ranked among the very top hospitality programs in the world, and its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. In-state tuition near $10,500 keeps it an accessible path into a major metropolitan research university.
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UNLV admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
UNLV does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
UNLV is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where UNLV's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 98.18% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. UNLV does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How UNLV weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UNLV's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $17,913 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UNLV admissions
Is it hard to get into UNLV?＋
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.
What GPA do you need to get into UNLV?＋
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.
Does UNLV require SAT or ACT scores?＋
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.
Is a 1200 SAT good enough for UNLV?＋
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.
Does UNLV require an admissions essay?＋
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.
What are my chances of getting into UNLV from out of state?＋
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.
How much does UNLV cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
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.
What are the most popular majors at UNLV?＋
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.
Source: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UNLV. Banner photo by Stan Shebs, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).