Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Las Vegas, Nevada
College of Southern Nevada — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,270Annual Cost
$38,087Grad Salary
29.6%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,329
Need-Based Aid
29.6% receive Pell
College of Southern Nevada is Nevada's largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. Established in 1971, CSN serves over 30,000 students across three main campuses.
The college offers unique programs in hospitality and gaming management leveraging its Las Vegas location. CSN's 'Workforce and Economic Development' division provides customized training for local businesses.
College of Southern Nevada Acceptance Rate
College of Southern Nevada (CSN) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
College of Southern Nevada Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
College of Southern Nevada follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CSN reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Foundation scholarship priority: 2026/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at CSN
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of Southern Nevada's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into CSN Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for College of Southern Nevada is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CSN
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CSN provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Earn Your AA/AS/AB and You're Guaranteed Into UNLV - No Re-Application
This is the most structurally valuable fact about attending CSN: students who complete an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Business degree from CSN are guaranteed admission to UNLV and receive credit for meeting UNLV's entire lower-division general education core curriculum. You do not need to re-apply to UNLV. You do not need UNLV to evaluate your courses individually. You arrive at UNLV as a junior with a cleared general education record. UNLV advisors are on-site at all three CSN campuses through the UNLV/CSN Transfer Program (UCTP) to help you map the course sequence from day one. The same AA/AS holds for guaranteed transfer to University of Nevada Reno under the NSHE system guarantee. Declare your transfer intent with a UCTP advisor in your first semester - the aligned two-year course sequence is different from CSN's open-enrollment default path.
The Guaranteed Transfer Program Is Your Second Chance at UNLV - Know It Exists
If you applied to UNLV and were denied, CSN's Guaranteed Transfer Program (GTP) is a structured pathway specifically for recently denied UNLV applicants. You enroll at CSN, complete half of your bachelor's degree's equivalent credits - earning an AA, AS, or AB within three years - while maintaining full-time enrollment, and then transfer to UNLV with junior standing without submitting another UNLV application. Sign the GTP Acknowledgment Form when you enroll at CSN; this locks your pathway. The GTP exists because UNLV and CSN both recognize that many students who are not yet UNLV-ready at 18 become fully qualified UNLV students after two years of structured community college coursework. The pathway is real and well-established; thousands of students have used it.
Hospitality and Casino Management Programs Are Industry-Specific and Nationally Ranked
CSN's Hospitality Management programs hold the ACPHA "Exemplary" designation - the highest accreditation tier in hospitality education - and offer five distinct specializations: Casino Management, Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage Management, Hotel Management, and Tourism/Convention and Event Planning. The Culinary Arts program is ranked 7th nationally (Best Choice Schools). Las Vegas is one of a small number of cities in the world where these specializations are not academic exercises - they're trained on the doorstep of the Strip, with industry partners in the casino, hotel, and convention ecosystems that produce the most jobs in the region. For students targeting careers in hospitality, gaming, or culinary arts, CSN is not a stepping stone to somewhere else. It is the industry-specific program with the most direct professional pipeline in Southern Nevada, period.
Apply to the UCTP $1,000 Scholarship Before March 31
The UNLV/CSN Transfer Program awards ten $1,000 scholarships each academic year to CSN students planning to transfer to UNLV. The application opens in mid-January and closes March 31. Awards are based on academic record, transfer intent, and community involvement - not just GPA. UNLV Transition Advisors on each CSN campus can help you prepare a competitive application. Ten scholarships among thousands of transferring students is competitive, but it is a real award administered through an established partnership, and the award requires recipients to engage with the Rebel Transfer Student Organization (RTSO) - which itself is a networking asset as you move from CSN to UNLV. Apply every year you are at CSN until you transfer.
Expert Insight:
CSN's open admissions creates the illusion that getting into competitive programs - nursing, dental hygiene, and certain allied health programs - is equally open. It is not. Health science programs at CSN have their own prerequisites, competitive selection processes, and waitlists that operate entirely outside general CSN admission. Additionally, 74% of CSN students attend part-time, which means many students take significantly longer than two years to complete an associate degree and may lose momentum toward their transfer goal. Students who enroll without a clear transfer or program plan frequently discover at 40 or 60 credits that their courses have not been building toward either a complete associate degree or a competitive program application. Meet with a UCTP or CSN academic advisor in your first month of enrollment to build a two-year map - not your first year, not your second semester. First month.
CSN Profile
Full Name
College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
City
Las Vegas
State
Nevada
ZIP Code
89146-1164
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a CSN Degree Worth It?
Getting into CSN can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. CSN offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at CSN is $65,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.19%.
How much does a degree from CSN Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at College of Southern Nevada is $13,270. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at College of Southern Nevada is $6,329.
29.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 9.6 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to CSN and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At College of Southern Nevada, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist CSN as your choice in the form.
How much does a CSN Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $38,087. An average CSN graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at CSN
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CSN Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $38,087 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13,270 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
29.6% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The scholarship priority deadline is Foundation scholarship priority: 2026/03/01. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.