Ni-La catalyst supported on SiO2 (Ni-La/SiO2) synthesized using in situ glycine-nitrate combustion was analyzed for catalyst dispersion at various catalyst-to-support ratios and support surface areas. Catalytic activity of the catalyst was assessed for methane cracking. The catalyst with higher support loading had a better catalyst dispersion. The use of a support with high surface area also improved catalyst dispersion. Ni-La/SiO2 B synthesized using a support with high surface area have a higher catalyst dispersion than that of Ni-La/SiO2 A with a support of low surface area. As a result, Ni-La/SiO2 B had a better methane conversion (the maximum of similar to 60%) than that of Ni-La/SiO2 A (similar to 40%) and offered a higher H-2 yield. Moreover, Ni-La/SiO2 B was found to be active for carbon formation. Nevertheless, the catalyst remained catalytically active for methane cracking without deactivation.