University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rankings 2025
Las Vegas, USA
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UNLV is ranked #244 among 436 U.S. national universities and #747 in the Best Global Universities rankings by U.S. News & World Report. It also falls within the 601–800 range globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. While it does not have an overall QS ranking, some programs, such as hospitality and leisure management, are recognized by QS for their excellence.
If you're considering studying abroad in the US, UNLV offers a diverse range of programs in nursing, business, engineering, law, health sciences, and other fields.
The university also holds an R1 research classification, reflecting its significant research output. This is one of the reasons why the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is recognized as one of the top universities in the US.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rankings 2024-25
If you’re considering admission to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, it's essential to understand how the university performs in key rankings.
This can give you insights into its academic reputation and global standing. While UNLV is not listed in the QS World University Rankings, it consistently performs well in U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, particularly in fields like hospitality management, law, and nursing. For instance, it ranked 601-800th in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings.
Below is a summary of how UNLV’s rankings have evolved:
| Ranking Body | Rank 2024 | Rank 2025 | Rank 2026 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings | 601-800th | 601-800th | N/A |
| U.S. News & World Report Rankings | N/A | N/A | #747 |
Here's a graphical representation of all the University of Nevada, Las Vegas rankings:
The university maintained a stable position in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, consistently placed in the 601–800 band for both 2024 and 2025. However, there is no available data for 2026 under THE, which may indicate either a delay in publication or that the university was not ranked that year.
In contrast, the U.S. News & World Report Rankings show no listing for the university in 2024 and 2025, but it appears in 2026 at rank #747. This suggests a possible improvement in performance or a recent inclusion in the U.S. News evaluation, reflecting growing international recognition or enhanced academic and research output.
Furthermore, UNLV continues to excel in specialized programs, such as hospitality management, law, and nursing, which are nationally recognized for their quality. Let’s discuss these now to get a better understanding of its subject-specific performance.
Subject-wise Rankings of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Subject-specific rankings, such as those from QS and THE, can help you assess how well-regarded a university is in your field of study in USA. For instance, UNLV’s Hospitality and Leisure Management program ranks #4 globally by QS, showcasing its strength in the field, while its Nursing program holds the #74 spot in U.S. News rankings.
Below is a summary of the top University of Nevada, Las Vegas courses and their respective rankings:
QS Rankings
UNLV boasts strong program rankings, with its Hospitality and Leisure Management program securing an impressive 4th place globally in QS Rankings.
Other programs, such as Business Management Studies, Economics, and Medicine, also demonstrate the university's broad academic excellence across various fields.
Here's a closer look at UNLV's program rankings for 2025:
| Program | Rank 2025 |
| Hospitality and Leisure Management | #4 |
| Business and Management Studies | 401-450 |
| Economics and Econometrics | 551-700 |
| Medicine | 701-850 |
| Computer Science and Information Systems | 751-850 |
To further explore UNLV's academic standing, let's examine how the university performs in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, continues to strengthen its academic offerings across a wide range of disciplines.
For programs such as Law (#251-300) and Psychology (#301-400), the university has earned solid rankings from THE for 2025, showcasing its commitment to excellence in several fields.
Here’s a breakdown of UNLV’s program-wise THE rankings for 2025:
| Program | Rank 2025 |
| Law | 251-300 |
| Psychology | 301-400 |
| Education Studies | 301-400 |
| Business and Economics | 401-500 |
| Social Sciences | 501-600 |
| Medical and Health | 501-600 |
| Arts and Humanities | 601+ |
| Physical Sciences | 601-800 |
| Life Sciences | 601-800 |
| Engineering | 801-1000 |
| Computer Science | 801-1000 |
After reviewing the university's ranking in various subjects, let’s examine its performance in other reputable rankings.
Miscellaneous Ranking 2025
Niche has ranked the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a B-category institute, based on certain factors. These include academics, value, diversity, campus and food, athletics, professors, location, dorms, student life, and safety.
Beyond traditional academic metrics, it also ranks among the top universities in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability.
Here’s the performance of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in different areas:
| Ranking Agency | Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| QS Sustainability Ranking | #911-920 |
| Niche Ranking | B grade, #3 in Best Colleges in Nevada |
| Forbes |
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| U.S. News & World Report |
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With these impressive rankings in mind, you should strongly consider the institute for your higher education. But before checking out the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Admissions page, it's crucial to take a quick look at its achievements.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Excellence and Achievements
UNLV excels in academic and research fields, holding Research 1 (R1) status and ranking 28 graduate programs among the top 100. Its online nursing and psychology programs are nationally recognized.
The university supports community initiatives, such as healthcare trials and international student resources, while preserving Nevada’s cultural heritage.
Let’s take a closer look at the university’s academic excellence and national recognition.
Academic Excellence and National Recognition
UNLV maintains its prestigious "Research 1 (R1)" status, a top-tier research distinction. The university excels in graduate education, with numerous programs recognized for their quality, including its nationally acclaimed online programs in nursing and psychology.
Here’s an overview of these key academic achievements:
Category | Recognition |
| Research 1 (R1) Status | UNLV continues to maintain its prestigious "Research 1 (R1)" status, reflecting its top-tier research capabilities. |
| Faculty Recognition | Faculty members like Pradip Bhowmik (Chemistry and Biochemistry) and Thessa Hilgenkamp (Physical Therapy) have been recognized for their interdisciplinary research. |
| Undergraduate Research Program | The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program awarded $57,000 to 38 students in 2024, supporting research under the guidance of faculty mentors. |
Building on its academic achievements, UNLV also stands out for its significant contributions to community engagement and campus life. Let’s now explore them.
Community and Lifestyle Recognitions
UNLV is dedicated to strengthening both its local and global communities. Recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, the university continues to make significant strides in healthcare, student support, and community development.
For instance, in 2024, UNLV's Clinical Trials Office supported over 30 clinical drug trials, including studies for pediatric lupus in partnership with Cure 4 the Kids.
Here are more key initiatives that highlight UNLV’s community commitment:
Category | Recognition |
| Healthcare & Clinical Research | The Clinical Trials Office conducts over 30 drug trials, including pediatric lupus studies with Cure 4 the Kids, which enhances Las Vegas’ healthcare infrastructure. |
| International Student Support | Through the “You Belong Here” campaign, UNLV Global provides vital immigration updates, financial resources, social events, and emotional care for international students. |
| Civic & Community Engagement | UNLV’s community engagement efforts have earned recognition from the Carnegie Foundation, with initiatives like lactation support in underserved areas benefiting local families. |
| Career & Civic Readiness | The Rebel Career Champion Network connects over 100 dedicated staff, faculty, and students to guide career planning and leadership development across campus. |
Apart from its strong community support, UNLV also encourages cultural and creative activities. Let’s now take a look at the notable recognitions in these areas.
Cultural and Creative Excellence
With more than 70% of its students being minorities, the university is considered an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Apart from that, UNLV is dedicated to both preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative endeavors.
Here are some of the notable achievements and initiatives that highlight the university’s contributions to the arts and artistic preservation.
| Category | Recognition/Initiative |
| Creative Honors | Composer Viet Cuong, who serves as an Assistant Professor of Music Composition and Theory, received the 2025 Charles Vanda Award. |
| Theatrical Excellence | UNLV’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary, exploring transformation through a mix of classic and contemporary works. |
| Cultural Preservation | UNLV’s Preserve Nevada initiative highlights 12 of Nevada’s most endangered historic sites, including the La Concha Motel, Florence Mine, and more. |
| Artistic Innovation | The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery conducts exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists, enriching Southern Nevada’s cultural scene. |
Having highlighted UNLV’s accomplishments and contributions, let’s explore the methodologies used to calculate the university’s rankings.
Ranking Bodies Methodologies
The U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings are two of the most recognized global systems.
U.S. News focuses on factors such as graduation rates and financial aspects, while THE evaluates research-intensive universities across teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement.
U.S. News and World Report Rankings
This indicator uses criteria such as first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and the student-faculty ratio. Additional factors, such as borrower debt and financial resources, help assess how effectively universities support low-income students.
Below are the criteria considered in the U.S. News & World Report Rankings.
| Focus Indicators | Weightage |
| Average 6-year graduation rate | 16% |
| Average first-year student retention rate | 5% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-) | 10% |
| 6-year graduation rate of students who received a Pell Grant | 5.5% |
| 6-year graduation rate of students who did not receive a Pell Grant | 5.5% |
| College grads earning more than a high school grad | 5% |
| Median federal loan debt for grad borrowers | 5% |
| Peer assessment score | 20% |
| Financial resources rank | 8% |
| Faculty salaries rank | 6% |
| Full-time faculty percentage | 2% |
| Student-faculty ratio | 3% |
| Standardized tests (SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile) | 5% |
| Faculty Research (Bibliometric Rank) | 4% |
To further understand how universities like UNLV are evaluated, it’s essential to examine the specific criteria used by the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings.
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 evaluates universities using 17 performance indicators across five key areas. These indicators are weighted to reflect their importance in assessing a university's overall performance.
Below are the criteria considered in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings.
Focus Indicators | Sub Parameters | Weightage |
| Teaching (Learning Environment) | Teaching Reputation | 15% |
| Staff-to-Student Ratio | 4.5% | |
| Doctorate-to-Bachelor’s Ratio | 2% | |
| Doctorates Awarded-to-Staff Ratio | 5.5% | |
| Institutional Income | 2.5% | |
| Total | 29.5% | |
| Research Environment | Research Reputation | 18% |
| Research Income | 5.5% | |
| Research Productivity | 5.5% | |
| Total | 29% | |
| Research Quality | Citation Impact | 15% |
| Research Strength | 5% | |
| Research Excellence | 5% | |
| Research Influence | 5% | |
| Total | 30% | |
| International Outlook | International Staff | 2.5% |
| International Students | 2.5% | |
| International Co-authorship | 2.5% | |
| Total | 7.5% | |
| Industry | Industry Income | 2% |
| Patents | 2% | |
| Total | 4% |
The ranking methodologies highlight how effectively a university provides quality education and outcomes for students, using factors such as employability.
With a clear picture of UNLV’s strengths and recognitions, you’re now better equipped to decide if it’s the right fit for your academic journey.
Wrapping Up
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) holds a solid position in the 2025 U.S. News rankings, ranking #244 nationally, and falls within the 601–800 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Furthermore, UNLV shines in specialized areas. Its Hospitality Management program ranks #4 globally, and its law school is recognized within the 251–300 global band. These achievements, paired with its R1: Very High Research Activity status, reflect a growing but still developing national and international reputation.
For example, programs such as engineering and computer science could be further developed to enhance the university’s international profile. Nevertheless, as it continues to build on its strengths and address areas of improvement, UNLV remains a promising destination for students seeking quality education, research opportunities, and a diverse, inclusive campus experience.
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