iGaming B2B
University of Nevada, Las Vegas logo

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Educational Institution
Visit website
Founded
1957-01-01 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Headquarters
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Paradise, Nevada 89154

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public land‑grant research university located just east of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Founded in 1957 as a southern extension of the University of Nevada, Reno, it gained full independence in 1968 and was renamed the following year. Today UNLV serves more than 30,000 students across 350+ accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including its own law, medicine, and dental medicine schools. The 335‑acre campus is classified as an R1 doctoral university with very high research activity, spending $83 million on research and development in fiscal year 2018. UNLV is also recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for both research excellence and community engagement. The university’s athletic teams—the Rebels—compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Mountain West Conference. In 2025, UNLV turned a $20.9 million deficit into a $2.5 million surplus, demonstrating strong fiscal management and strategic growth. With over 4,000 employees and an annual economic impact on Southern Nevada estimated at over $1.5 billion, UNLV is a major educational and economic anchor in the region.

Detailed Review

History

UNLV’s origins trace back to 1951, when the University of Nevada, Reno established an extension program to serve the booming postwar population of Las Vegas. Classes first met in dressing rooms of Las Vegas High School. In 1954 the Nevada Board of Regents created the Southern Regional Division (popularly known as “Nevada Southern”), and students adopted the Rebel mascot to symbolise their desire for independence from UNR. After public pressure, the regents purchased an 80‑acre site along Maryland Parkway, and on September 10, 1957, the first classes were held in a 13,000‑square‑foot building named for state assemblywoman Maude Frazier, the founding force behind the institution.

The school quickly expanded, adding a physical education/health centre, a science/technology building, and the James R. Dickinson Library. Accreditation from the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools was granted in 1958. In 1964, the first commencement graduated 29 students as the “Centennial Class”. The following year the Nevada Legislature renamed it Nevada Southern University, and in 1968 the school achieved equal status with UNR. The current name—University of Nevada, Las Vegas—was approved by the Board of Regents in January 1969. During the 1977‑78 academic year, UNLV surpassed UNR in total enrolment.

Academic and Research Enterprise

Today the university comprises nine academic colleges and schools, including the William S. Boyd School of Law (the only law school in Nevada), the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, and the Harrah College of Hospitality, one of the world’s top hospitality programmes. UNLV’s research enterprise spans fields such as gaming and hospitality, health sciences, desert sustainability, and cybersecurity; it is home to the International Gaming Institute, the Centre for Gaming Research, and the Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine. Over more than five decades, UNLV has erected more than 100 buildings, launched dozens of graduate programmes, built partnerships with the community, fielded nationally ranked sports teams, founded an alumni association, and established a fundraising foundation.

Recent Developments

In 2024, UNLV formalised a partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno that funds $1.7 million in programmes addressing community health, social, and environmental challenges. The university’s financial health improved markedly in fiscal year 2025, turning a $20.9 million deficit into a $2.5 million surplus. UNLV employs over 4,000 faculty and staff, and its economic impact on Southern Nevada is estimated at over $1.5 billion annually. In February 2026, UNLV announced Chris Viton as Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, and the university's leadership continues to be guided by Interim President Christopher L. Heavey.

Key Products

  • Academic Programs

    78 undergraduate majors, 84 minors, and over 197 graduate degree and certificate programs across 11 colleges and schools, including law, medicine, dental medicine, hospitality, business, and engineering.

  • UNLV Research Enterprise

    R1 research classification with annual R&D expenditures of $83 million (2018); supports interdisciplinary research centers and seed funding through the iRDA program.

  • UNLV Rebels Athletics

    NCAA Division I program fielding 17 men’s and women’s sports, including basketball, football, baseball, golf, soccer, swimming, and tennis.

  • UNLV Lifelong Learning

    Continuing education and professional development programs offered to alumni and the community.

  • Undergraduate & Graduate Programs

    78 majors, 84 minors, and over 197 graduate degree/certificate programs across disciplines.

  • William S. Boyd School of Law

    The only ABA-accredited law school in Nevada, offering JD, LL.M., and joint degree programs.

  • UNLV School of Medicine

    MD program and graduate medical education, part of the Shadow Lane Campus.

  • UNLV School of Dental Medicine

    DMD degree and postgraduate programs in dental specialties.

  • Research Enterprise (R1 Status)

    High research activity with centers in gaming, personalized medicine, public policy, and more.

  • UNLV Athletics (Rebels)

    NCAA Division I programs including men’s basketball (Runnin’ Rebels), football, and 14 other sports.

  • WebCampus/Canvas LMS

    Online learning management system used for course delivery.

  • Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine

    Medical school offering MD, PhD, and residency programmes.

  • School of Dental Medicine

    Accredited dental school providing DMD and postgraduate training.

  • Harrah College of Hospitality

    One of the world’s top hospitality programmes, with specialisations in gaming, event management, and hotel administration.

  • International Gaming Institute

    Research and education centre focused on the global gaming industry.

  • MyUNLV

    Student portal for registration, grades, and financial aid.

  • WebCampus‑Canvas

    Learning management system for online and blended courses.

Offices & Headcount

4282 employees (approx.)

Key Persons

Notable past members

Exhibition History

Suggest an edit / report inaccuracy