While Las Vegas is known as a destination for tourists all over the world looking to sate whatever vices they may have, believe it or not, people actually live there. The city does a lot to make sure its residents have every opportunity available for them, and their children can find gainful employment in any field, instead of just working in the casinos.

To meet the higher education needs for the 50,000 residents of Las Vegas in 1951, the state of Nevada began a program to create a university of Las Vegas. In this year, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) was granted the ability to create extensions, and soon after, 28 students were meeting for classes in the back rooms of the Las Vegas High School auditorium. It wasn’t until 1954 that the state officially created the university in Las Vegas that was popularly called Nevada Southern.

The first campus was founded on 80 acres on Maryland Parkway, at the time a simple dirt road, and in 1957, the first classes were taught there out of a new building 13,000 square-feet in size. In 1958, Nevada Southern was granted accreditation from the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools. Enrollment soared and several new buildings were constructed to meet the high demand, including a science and technology building, a library, a physical education/health center, and a second classroom building.

Students and faculty soon began to resent the fact that they remained under the control of UNR, and they adopted the team name of the Rebels, and the Rebel mascot, as a voice for their desire to be an independent university of Las Vegas. The fight took over a decade, but in 1968, Nevada Southern was granted independence. The following year, the university board officially changed the name to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or UNLV for short. At that time, enrolled was over 5,500 students and in 1977, they surpassed the enrollment of UNR.

Over the next 30 years, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas would continue to grow and expand. The university includes more than 100 buildings for both undergraduate and graduate studies on a campus now 350 acres in size. They have partnerships within the local community and also work to recruit top students from around the country.

As of 2007, enrollment at UNLV reached over 28,000 students taught by a faculty over 1,000 strong. 2007 was also a record year for graduation with over 2,700 being honored. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching categorizes the institution as a “Research University with High Research Activity.” In 2006 alone, UNLV received $68 million in funding for research activities. Major research accomplishments include gamma ray studies by the NASA SWIFT team, women’s studies, and studies on air pollution. UNLV currently has 6,300 graduate students in one of 120 graduate programs or 38 doctoral programs. In addition, their program for educational psychology is ranked among the top 25 specialty programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas also has a nationally ranked sports team. The Rebels compete in 16 sports at the NCAA Division I level. In addition to intercollegiate sports, 20 intramural sports are also available.

As a leading research and academic institution, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is dedicated to creating equity, fostering diversity, and empowering individuals through support and respect in a nurturing environment. President Neal Smatresk promises that the cornerstone of the university will always be focused on learning and the success of the students.

As of the 2010 school year, undergraduate resident tuition is very reasonable at $142.75 per credit. Resident graduate courses are $239.50 per credit. For non-residents, there is a $157 dollar additional fee per credit for those taking 1 – 6 credits. For 7 credits or more, the non-resident surcharge is $6,645 per semester. Non-resident graduate students must taking 1 – 6 credits must pay a $263.50 surcharge or $6,645 per semester for 7 credits or more.