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College of Southern Nevada

#1742 in US ranking Las Vegas, NV
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$14,106
Tuition & fees
$4,422
Avg. aid
$4,659
Receiving aid
80%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
19%
Median salary
$43,922
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of College of Southern Nevada?

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is a public community college founded in 1971 as Clark County Community College. It later operated as the Community College of Southern Nevada before adopting its current name in 2007.

Those name changes accompanied its growth from a local community college into a multi-campus institution serving the Las Vegas area. CSN remains part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Its mix of transfer degrees, workforce programs, certificates, and selected bachelor's degrees reflects both its original access mission and the region's changing educational needs.

What are the faculties and departments at College of Southern Nevada?

CSN offers academic transfer programs alongside career-focused education in health care, business, hospitality, public service, and technical fields. Students can pursue certificates and associate degrees, as well as selected bachelor's degrees; the available credentials depend on the program.

Its academic organization spans fields such as arts and humanities, mathematics and science, business, social sciences, and health sciences. Representative areas of study include nursing, dental programs, information technology, automotive technology, criminal justice, and hospitality. A transfer-oriented associate degree and a career-oriented applied degree serve different purposes, so students planning to attend a four-year university should compare the specific curriculum with that university's requirements before choosing a major.

Some programs have separate admission steps or limited clinical and laboratory capacity. General admission to CSN does not, by itself, secure a place in a selective program.

What is the location of College of Southern Nevada?

College of Southern Nevada serves the Las Vegas metropolitan area through major campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. Its principal campuses are Charleston, North Las Vegas, and Henderson, with additional instructional locations serving particular programs and communities.

This is a multi-campus college rather than a single residential campus. A student's commute may depend more on the location of required classes than on the college's Las Vegas mailing address. Before registering, students should check whether courses meet at a particular campus, online, or at another instructional site; travel between campuses can be substantial. Harry Reid International Airport serves the region, but local transportation and parking are more immediate considerations for most students.

What is the mission and vision of College of Southern Nevada?

CSN describes its mission in terms of accessible education, student learning, and service to Southern Nevada. Its stated priorities include pathways to further education and preparation for employment in the region.

As a public, nonsectarian college, CSN serves students with different academic goals: some intend to transfer, while others seek a shorter credential or a specific occupational qualification. Its stated vision emphasizes student success and responsiveness to community and workforce needs. These are institutional aims, not assurances about any individual student's completion or employment outcome.

College of Southern Nevada Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

College of Southern Nevada

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

City: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

20,000 and above

School type

Four-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1971

College of Southern Nevada Accreditation

College of Southern Nevada is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

College of Southern Nevada Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.