Great Basin College

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Great Basin College Degrees and Programs

Great Basin College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students. Students who attend Great Basin College may earn:
  • associate degrees
  • bachelor’s degrees
  • certificates
Some of the areas of focus are:
  • business
  • computer technology
  • education
  • health sciences
  • social sciences
  • art
  • technology
The college offers complete degree programs, as well as associate degrees meant for transfer to other institutions. There are also two types of certificates available:
  • certificates of achievement
  • skills certificates
High school students may want to explore the dual enrollment options at the university. This allows students still in high school to enroll in college classes. The college has enrollment agreements with various counties around Nevada. Most counties have unique application requirements that students must meet when applying for dual enrollment status. In addition to dual enrollment, the college also offers a college credit program for high school students. Career and technical education classes are offered free to high school students who qualify. Requirements for enrollment include:
  • having a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • passing the End of Program Assessment
  • passing the Employability Skills for Career Readiness Assessment
Prospective students may choose to enroll in classes online. They can earn their degrees wholly or mostly via the internet. Available online programs include:
  • Bachelor of Arts in English
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is an RN to BS in nursing program
Other bachelor’s degrees available online include:
  • land surveying
  • digital information technology
  • graphic communications
  • management and supervision
There are also several associate degrees available on campus, as well as online. The college expects that students who earn an associate degree online will eventually transfer those credits to a university. Degrees include:
  • Associate of Arts in English
  • Associate of Arts in Social Science
  • Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
  • Associate of Arts in Business
Students interested in programs designed to take just one year of study can consider one of the many certificates offered by Great Basin College. Certificates programs include:
  • accounting
  • graphic communications
  • early childhood education
  • diagnostic medical sonography
  • substance abuse counseling, as well as many other topics.

About Great Basin College

Great Basin College was founded as Elko College in 1967. It joined the University of Nevada system a few years later. The college was in danger of closing shortly after it was founded until billionaire Howard Hughes donated $250,000 to keep the college open. The college has around 3,800 students attending its Elko, Nevada location. Students come from a large portion of Nevada. The college’s reach extends over 10 counties throughout the state. There are several branch campuses in the towns of:
  • Pahrump
  • Winnemucca
  • Battle Mountain
The college’s official colors are green and gold. The college’s mascot is a bighorn sheep.

Great Basin College Accreditation Details

Great Basin College is regionally and institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college is also a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Some nationally recognized organizations have also approved or accredited individual programs at the college. Programmatic approvals include the associate degree programs in nursing and the bachelor’s degree program in nursing. They are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.  The programs in radiologic technology are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Great Basin College Application Requirements

Great Basin College has an open admissions policy. Students must still meet the minimum application requirements to be admitted. They must also meet prerequisite accomplishments for some classes and programs. Some programs have enrollment caps. Early applications are essential for gaining entry to the college’s most popular degrees. Students can apply for admission online. They may also use the college’s advisement services for assistance with the process. International students must meet some initial qualifications before gaining access to programs at the college. Applicants will:
  • apply online to the college through the international application
  • submit a copy of a passport
  • send evidence of having passed an English language proficiency test
Students from English-speaking countries like Australia and the United Kingdom are exempt from English-language tests.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Nevada residents will pay $108.25 per credit for lower-division classes. They pay  $173.75 for upper-division classes. High school students who participate in concurrent enrollment  pay $54.13 per credit for lower-division classes and $173.75 per credit for upper-division classes. Students who enroll in credits that go beyond full-time enrollment  pay $159.63 per credit for lower-division classes. They pay $257.88 per credit for upper-division classes. Non-residents who take classes online pay $159.50 per credit for lower-division classes and $258.00 per credit for upper-division classes. Non-residents who attend classes on campus pay $221.25 per credit for lower-division classes and $358.95 for upper-division classes. Students who live in adjacent states to Nevada  pay $159.63 per credit for lower-division classes and $257.88 per credit for upper-division classes. Students may qualify for financial aid in the form of:
  • federal grants
  • scholarships
  • federal student loans
  • funding from private sources
Veterans and active-duty military personnel may qualify for additional financial aid. Students  must complete the federal aid application and maintain eligibility for each semester they want to receive student loans and grants. For example, students must take at least six credits to earn and qualify for a federal grant. There are some additional applications required for students interested in scholarships, as well as eligibility requirements. One scholarship students may receive is the Millennium Scholarship. It  requires students to visit the Nevada State Treasurer website and take steps to apply. Other scholarships available from Great Basin College require the student to:
  • submit official transcripts
  • complete their FAFSA application
  • fill out an extra scholarship application that is ssent directly to the college.

Featured Programs

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