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Southern New Hampshire University

#1 Largest Colleges in America
Private nonprofit Manchester, NH · Suburban · New England · 93% data
B Diversity B- Earnings C Social Mobility
Graduation Rate
44% D+
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$50,318 B-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$36,708 F
114% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
100% F
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +23% vs avg
Graduation -23% vs avg
Net Price 114% vs avg
Mobility Top 51%

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Largest Colleges in America.

8.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $8.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,112,554.

What The Data Says

  1. A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Earnings 23% above the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $8.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
163,164
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Humanities

Why students choose Southern New Hampshire University

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 63% overall
B-
Earnings
$50,318 median
D
Value
1.4× net price
F
Affordability
$36,708/yr net
D+
Graduation
44% graduate
C
Social Mobility
1.4% climb Q1→Q5
F
Selectivity
100% admit rate
B
Diversity
0.69 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Accessible
100% admit rate

Accessible — admits about 100% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

F
$36,708/yr net

Students pay about $36,708 a year after grants and scholarships — 114% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

B-
$50,318 median

Graduates earn a median of $50,318 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $21,082 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

C
1.4% climb

Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 51% nationally for mobility.

See mobility →

Overview

With an enrollment of over 163,000 students, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a place where a diverse range of learners can thrive, particularly those pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Humanities, and Health Professions. The school's 100% acceptance rate opens the door for many, creating an inclusive atmosphere. This setup is ideal for students looking for flexibility in their education, whether they’re fresh out of high school or returning to school after some time away.

After graduation, students at SNHU can expect to earn around $50,318 within a decade, which is a decent starting point for many. This aligns well with the school's focus on practical, career-oriented programs. While the graduation rate sits at 44%, those who complete their degrees are often better positioned for upward mobility in the job market, especially in fields like business and technology. The affordability factor plays a role here, too, as nearly half of the students receive Pell Grants, which can make a significant difference in financing education.

When it comes to the cost of attending SNHU, the net price is approximately $36,708 after financial aid, which can seem daunting at first glance. However, the median debt upon graduation is $21,082, a figure that many find manageable in the context of their potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those looking for a supportive environment and a clear path to career opportunities, making it a solid choice for individuals ready to invest in their future.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Southern New Hampshire University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Southern New Hampshire University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Southern New Hampshire University, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.

Acceptance Rate
100%
Retention Rate
61%
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$9,805
Student–Faculty Ratio
22:1
Diversity Index
0.69
First-Gen Students
48%
Applicants
35,992
Admitted
34,687

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern New Hampshire University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Southern New Hampshire University is $17,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,708. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $36,441 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,082 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$17,200
Out-of-State
$17,200
Avg Net Price
$36,708
Median Debt
$21,082
Pell Grant Rate
49%
Federal Loan Rate
58%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$36,441
Family Income $30K–$48K
$36,536
Family Income $48K–$75K
$36,641
Family Income $110K+
$38,025

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southern New Hampshire University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $50,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$41,945
8 Years
$43,845
10 Years
$50,318
Debt-to-Earnings
0.42x
Earning > $25K
75%

Earnings Trajectory

$41,945 6yr $43,845 8yr $50,318 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (439)
29%
100% (439)
29%
100% (439)
29%
100% (439)
29%

How Southern Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation44%Earnings 10yr$50KNet Price$37KRetention61%Median Debt$21KPell Grant Rate49%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$36K$0-30K$37K$30-48K$37K$48-75K$38K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%5.6%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%25.8%MOBILITY1.44%

College ROI Calculator

Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Southern New Hampshire University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,708/year ($146,832 total). Graduates earn $50,318 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,259,386 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,112,554 (8.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,082, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$146,832
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,259,386
Net Return
$1,112,554
ROI Multiple
8.6×
Cost Per Year
$36,708
Median Debt
$21,082
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
44%
Explore all Southern New ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does Southern New Hampshire University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Southern New Hampshire University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
1.44%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
25.8%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
5.6%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$116,572
today's $ (2015 cohort data)

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$-34,100,068

Top Programs

The fields Southern New Hampshire University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern New Hampshire University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Southern New Hampshire University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Southern New Hampshire University, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern New Hampshire University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Southern New Hampshire University is $17,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,708. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $36,441 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,082 in federal student loans.

Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $50,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Does Southern New Hampshire University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Southern New Hampshire University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Compare Southern New Hampshire University

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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