Manchester, NH · Private University
Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$50,318
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,450
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$16,450
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$65,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.06x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
44.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,082
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$33,742
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern New Hampshire University graduates earn $5,318 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southern New Hampshire University ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
22 graduates
1,307 graduates
20 graduates
80 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern New Hampshire University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southern New Hampshire University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other: $95,706) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $33,578) is $62,128/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherBest ROI | $95,706 | 5.8x |
| Economics | $91,624 | 5.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services(1yr data) | $86,882 | 5.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $83,728 | 5.1x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $76,718 | 4.7x |
| Public Administration(1yr data) | $73,129 | 4.5x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $71,764 | 4.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,432 | 4.2x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $66,407 | 4.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $64,484 | 3.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services(1yr data) | $63,703 | 3.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,737 | 3.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,590 | 3.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,017 | 3.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $60,203 | 3.7x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $57,731 | 3.5x |
| Marketing | $56,094 | 3.4x |
| Mathematics | $54,330 | 3.3x |
| International Business | $53,425 | 3.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,272 | 3.1x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $49,244 | 3.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $48,795 | 3.0x |
| Social Sciences, General | $46,694 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,164 | 2.8x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $45,910 | 2.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $45,727 | 2.8x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $43,886 | 2.7x |
| History | $43,759 | 2.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,559 | 2.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,755 | 2.6x |
| Psychology, General | $42,670 | 2.6x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $41,986 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,946 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $41,530 | 2.5x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications(1yr data) | $40,882 | 2.5x |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $40,398 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,971 | 2.4x |
| Human Services, General(1yr data) | $38,461 | 2.3x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $35,776 | 2.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $33,578 | 2.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Southern New Hampshire University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $50,318 10 years after starting, $5,318 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.