Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It?
At a value score of 15/100, Southern New Hampshire University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,318 — 6% below average — while paying $36,708/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.9-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southern New Hampshire University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
Best Programs at Southern New Hampshire University
The highest-earning program at Southern New Hampshire University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at $29,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southern New Hampshire University earns $71,500, while a Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations graduate earns $29,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $13,608 in median debt vs. $23,167 for Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,708/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,500 | $71,500 | $13,608 |
| Economics | $60,500 | $60,500 | $22,915 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,600 | $53,600 | $25,024 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,700 | $48,700 | $20,331 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,400 | $48,400 | $22,634 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,400 | $45,400 | $12,500 |
| Mathematics | $42,900 | $42,900 | $16,666 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,700 | $42,700 | $19,608 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,200 | $42,200 | $23,040 |
| Marketing | $41,700 | $41,700 | $23,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $39,100 | $39,100 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,100 | $36,100 | $15,540 |
| International Business | $36,100 | $36,100 | $26,907 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,900 | $35,900 | $19,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $34,400 | $34,400 | $21,711 |
| History | $33,200 | $33,200 | $19,821 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,000 | $33,000 | $19,419 |
| Social Sciences, General | $32,100 | $32,100 | $22,750 |
| Psychology, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $19,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $31,500 | $31,500 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,900 | $30,900 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $19,368 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $29,900 | $29,900 | $22,212 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $29,400 | $29,400 | $23,167 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Manchester, NH
- Student Body
- 163,164 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,708
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,318
- Median Student Debt
- $21,082