
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.
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.
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.
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.
Name of the institution
College of Southern NevadaLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
20,000 and aboveSchool type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1971College 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.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData 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.