At $33,742/yr net price, Southern New Hampshire University graduates earn $50,318/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,318/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,742 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $134,968 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,318/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,318/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,082 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,202/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $32,903/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,048/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,992/yr |
| $110,001+ | $36,682/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $83,177 | $36,900 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $73,898 | $16,539 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $69,218 | $44,643 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $68,219 | $41,257 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $65,734 | $48,003 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $61,516 | $32,204 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Certificate | $61,516 | $36,900 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $61,218 | $39,443 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $60,320 | $23,861 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,622 | $45,100 |
The Risk Factor
44.9% of students at Southern New Hampshire University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Southern New Hampshire University runs a weak financial return. You pay $33,742 a year, and ten years out the median graduate earns $50,318. That gap is hard to close, especially with a 44.9% graduation rate, which means fewer than half of you finish. Nearly 40% of you don't even return for a second year, and if you leave with debt but no degree, you get the cost without the payoff.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner: graduates earn close to $74,000 while carrying under $17,000 in debt, the best ratio on campus. Economics and computer science both clear $56,000, though computer science graduates leave with almost $29,000 in debt, the heaviest load of any top program. Business administration and health sciences sit right at the median around $50,000, so those degrees roughly break even against the cost. Health sciences at least keeps debt low at $13,042.
The specific risk is the completion problem. A degree you finish in nursing or economics pays off. the years you spend not finishing are pure loss. Median debt of $21,082 is manageable if you graduate into a $50,000 job, but not if you drop out.
The net price tiers do something unusual: you pay more, not less, as family income drops in the middle bands, and even the lowest-income tier pays over $33,000. There is little price break for families under $30,000. That makes SNHU a poor fit if you need low cost to make the numbers work.
SNHU fits you if you're committed to nursing, economics, or computer science and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or price-sensitive, a public option will likely cost you less for similar earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern New Hampshire University worth the cost?
Southern New Hampshire University's ROI is mixed - graduates earn $50,318 after 10 years against a net price of $33,742 annually. The low graduation rate of 45% creates significant risk for students who don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Southern New Hampshire University?
Management Sciences leads at $83,177 in median earnings, followed by nursing at $73,898 and business administration at $69,218. Computer science graduates earn $65,734, which is solid but not exceptional for the field.
How much debt do Southern New Hampshire University graduates have?
The median debt load is $21,082, which is relatively manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this only reflects students who actually graduate - the 45% graduation rate means many students may leave with debt but no degree.
Should I attend Southern New Hampshire University for business?
Business programs at Southern New Hampshire University produce moderate earnings around $69,218 for general business and $68,219 for finance. These numbers are decent but not outstanding given the annual cost and graduation rate risks.