Returning to college as an adult with a full-time job means more than just finding an online school. You need a program that will work with your work, family and other commitments while giving you the education you need.

Here are your options in Nevada. Certain colleges offer online degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some schools have a narrower concentration of programs.

Balancing school with work means weighing your options in program selection, flexibility and available academic support.

What We Cover

• Quick comparison
• University of Nevada, Reno
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Great Basin College
• Nevada State University
• What to check before enrolling
• Final verdict

Quick Comparison

Accreditation through an institutional agency is a quick check when researching any online college. All four schools in this comparison are accredited according to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ institutional directory.

1. University of Nevada, Reno

If you are a working adult interested in pursuing your education without having an online course program separated from the University’s traditional course offering, consider Nevada Online at the University of Nevada, Reno.

They offer online degree programs at the University of Nevada, Reno at a variety of credential levels. Programs available through the current catalog include bachelor’s degrees as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. Graduate and undergraduate certificates and minors are also offered.

That spectrum allows adult students flexibility at various points in their academic journeys. A learner returning for undergraduate studies has needs distinct from a professional student seeking a master’s degree or a graduate student searching for a niche certificate.

The University clarifies another detail about what online students are getting as well. Nevada Online states that students have the opportunity to receive the same degree or certificate as students on campus. Courses are taught by University faculty.

Programs specifically designed for adult learners may exist. The online Bachelor of Science in Business program is identified as targeted towards working professionals, adult learners and nontraditional students seeking flexibility.

Students should verify the delivery format and expectations of the individual program. Not all online programs operate the same.

The University’s accreditation can be checked through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Nevada Online also offers a cost calculator for students who wish to determine their costs by calculating direct tuition and fees instead of using one university-wide estimate.

Useful for: Working adults who seek University faculty, multiple credential levels and want an online credential that is identical to the degree or certificate awarded to students on campus.

2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is another option for adults who want to search through a large university catalog.

It now offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology, psychology, entrepreneurship, educational psychology, cybersecurity, nursing and addiction studies on its website. Courses range from certificates and minors up to doctoral programs.

Online learning tools at the University also focus on accessibility to professors, advisors, tech support and career services.

Some independent student feedback also touches on flexibility. One review from the general University page on Niche discussed moving from a mix of online and in-person classes to fully online study while balancing school and life. Keep in mind this is one student’s account and not proof that all programs will run similarly.

Useful for: Adults interested in online subjects offered by a large public university who also want access to student support resources.

3. Great Basin College

Great Basin College is primarily an undergraduate institution. Bachelor’s degrees are listed first in the online catalog, followed by associate degrees and certificates, then continuing education.

Bachelor’s degrees offered online are English, Management and Supervision, Land Surveying/Geomatics, Nursing for registered nurses working on a bachelor’s degree, Human Services Addiction Counseling and Social Science. Associate programs available online are in the areas of business, accounting, criminal justice, social science and early childhood education.

The college markets its online courses as flexible for students who need flexibility. Students in Niche’s Great Basin College Online reviews also mention studying while working, raising a family or travelling. The sample size of reviews is pretty small, so take those comments as individual experiences rather than likely results.

Each bachelor’s program has its own admission and graduation requirements. Please refer to the individual program prior to applying.

Useful for: Students looking primarily at flexible bachelor’s, associate and certificate options.

4. Nevada State University

Nevada State University has a narrower array of offerings. The school’s current page on online learning lists two degrees that can be finished entirely online. They are the Bachelor of Arts in History and the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Concentrations available within the Interdisciplinary Studies degree include Leadership, History or Education. Programs may be completed remotely or through a hybrid of online and face-to-face courses.

This path may be ideal for working students who have already chosen a major that fits into one of those categories, especially if you’re someone who likes the flexibility of taking online courses in addition to on-campus ones.

Useful for: Adult learners looking for History or Interdisciplinary Studies classes that offer remote or online and campus options.

What Working Adults Should Check Before Enrolling

As online implies, there will be online coursework.

Confirm if classes are asynchronous, will have scheduled live sessions, or if there are placements, tests or anything else with a set time. Returning college adults should look into how their old credits will transfer as well.

Lastly, weigh the academic and tech support provided to online learners. Compare the requirements of your specific program rather than looking at university-wide information.

Final Verdict

These four institutions provide different approaches to online education for Nevada students.

Great Basin College has a heavy emphasis on undergraduate programs and associate degrees. Nevada State University has specialized programs designed to lead to bachelor’s degrees in History and Interdisciplinary Studies. Another large institution with an extensive list of both undergraduate and graduate programs is the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Working adults interested in having options across many levels of academia should first look at Nevada Online from the University of Nevada, Reno. It offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The current catalog also includes certificates and minors.

Its most important distinction for adult students is simple: Nevada Online reports students will receive the same degree or certificate as their on-campus counterparts and that online courses are taught by University faculty.

All those reasons combined make the University of Nevada, Reno the place to start with in this comparison.