UNLV has retained its status as one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, earning recognition as a Research 1 (R1) institution by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education for 2025. The Carnegie classification for research activity is based on federally reported research spending and doctoral degree productivity in fiscal year 2023, or a three-year institutional average. The R1 designation – which UNLV first achieved in 2018 and retained in 2021 – is the gold standard for university research metrics and reaffirms the university’s commitment to excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity.

UNLV's online bachelor’s degree in psychology ranked 25th and remained within the top 25 in U.S. News and World Report's rankings for the third consecutive year. Undergraduate programs in business also rated highly this year, ranking 54th. UNLV currently offers 41 fully online degree and certificate programs and hundreds of online course options. This spring, to meet a growing need for flexible and high-quality education options, UNLV launched a new online MBA program and fully online and hybrid master’s degrees in cybersecurity.

The School of Nursing’s online master’s degree programs remain among the nation's best, collectively placing 21st in U.S. News and World Report's latest rankings. The programs include generalist and specialty master’s tracks in nurse educator preparation, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric mental health, and have ranked in the nation’s top 30 each year since U.S. News began rating online nursing programs in 2012. The school has emerged as one of the country’s most respected programs, with its traditional undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs also ranking within U.S. News’ top 100.

The Maurine Jackson Smith Memorial Organ, located inside the Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall, celebrated 20 years since installation. Through a four-year building process, its 10,000 pieces were handmade in Hamburg, Germany, and shipped to Las Vegas. The instrument features three keyboards, 38 stops, and 3,000 pipes arranged into 53 sets. The organ is the largest in the state, and was made possible by a $500,000 donation from the family of the late Maurine Jackson Smith.

UNLV student-athletes tallied a record 15th consecutive semester with a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Overall, six sports set program-specific records for cumulative GPA, including football, women's basketball, women's golf, men's soccer, men's swimming & diving, and track & field. Baseball, football, and track & field matched their respective programs' semester GPA records.

22-time Grammy Award-winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band U2 donated to the UNLV School of Music through the U2:UV Music Scholarship and Experiential Fund. The one-time gift of  $300,000 will provide support to music majors with access to experiential learning and performance opportunities, including student travel and support for creative activities and performances at various international music events.

UNLV was selected as one of 21 institutions nationwide to participate in the pilot phase of the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability. UNLV will play a key role in refining the classification’s criteria, ensuring it is inclusive and accessible for institutions of all types. As higher education continues to address pressing environmental challenges, UNLV’s involvement in this initiative underscores its dedication to creating a more sustainable future for the campus and broader community. 

UNLV’s co-ed dance team, Rebel Girls & Company, took home first place in the game day and hip-hop categories of the Universal Dance Association’s College National Championships. The team has consistently excelled in the game day category, previously taking the top spot in 2023, 2020, 2019, and 2018. In the Division 1A hip-hop category, this year's win marks their sixth championship, adding to previous victories in 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016, and 2013.