SNHU Review 2026: Is Southern New Hampshire University Worth It? (Online Programs, Cost, Outcomes)
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
April 11, 2026
SNHU charges $320/credit online ($38,400 total for a bachelor's). It is one of the largest online universities with 170,000+ students. Here is the honest assessment.
Southern New Hampshire University is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment, with over 170,000 students — the vast majority online. It has become synonymous with accessible online education through aggressive marketing and a broad program catalog.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment, with over 170,000 students — the vast majority online. It has become synonymous with accessible online education through aggressive marketing and a broad program catalog.
SNHU at a Glance
- Type: Private, nonprofit
- Enrollment: 170,000+ (mostly online)
- Online tuition: $320/credit ($38,400 for a 120-credit bachelor's degree)
- On-campus tuition: ~$32,000/year (small traditional campus in Manchester, NH)
- Accreditation: NECHE (regional) — fully accredited
- Programs: 200+ online programs (bachelor's, master's, certificates)
- Acceptance rate: Open admission for online programs (virtually 100%)
SNHU Cost
| Program | Per-Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online bachelor's | $320/credit | $38,400 (120 credits) |
| Online master's | $627/credit | ~$18,800–$22,500 |
| Online certificates | $320/credit | Varies |
| On-campus bachelor's | N/A | ~$32,000/year |
At $320/credit, SNHU is mid-range for online universities — cheaper than many for-profits, but more expensive than WGU ($4,210 per 6-month term, unlimited credits) and most state university online programs.
SNHU vs. WGU: The Key Comparison
| SNHU | WGU | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Traditional (per-credit, scheduled terms) | Competency-based (flat rate, self-paced) |
| Bachelor's cost | $38,400 | $8,000–$17,000 |
| Structure | 8-week courses with deadlines | Self-paced assessments |
| Programs | 200+ (widest variety) | 60+ (IT, business, education, nursing) |
| Best for | Students who need structure | Self-directed fast learners |
| Accreditation | NECHE (regional) | NWCCU (regional) |
SNHU costs 2–4x more than WGU for a bachelor's degree. The trade-off: SNHU offers more programs, more structure (weekly deadlines, discussion boards), and a more traditional academic experience.
Programs
SNHU's 200+ programs include virtually every common major:
- Business: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, MBA
- IT/Computer Science: Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Software Development, AI
- Healthcare: Health Sciences, Public Health, Healthcare Administration (no nursing)
- Education: Teaching, Curriculum & Instruction, EdD
- Liberal Arts: English, Psychology, History, Communication, Criminal Justice
- Creative: Graphic Design, Creative Writing, Game Design
This breadth is SNHU's biggest advantage — WGU and most other online schools offer far fewer options.
Who SNHU Is Best For
- Students who want structure: Weekly assignments, discussion posts, and instructor interaction
- Students in liberal arts or creative fields: WGU does not offer these
- Military students: SNHU has strong military support and VA benefits processing
- Students who need hand-holding: Academic advisors, tutoring, writing support
- Transfer students: SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits (out of 120 needed)
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- Budget-conscious students: At $38,400, SNHU costs more than many state universities' online programs
- Fast learners: Unlike WGU, you cannot accelerate past the 8-week course schedule
- Students in SNHU's backyard: If you live near a state university, their online program is probably cheaper
Student Outcomes
SNHU's graduation rates are difficult to interpret:
- Online graduation rate: Low by traditional metrics (~20–25%), but online students often take longer and study part-time
- Employment outcomes: Vary widely by program. Business and IT graduates report reasonable outcomes.
- Employer perception: Most employers accept SNHU degrees, especially for career advancement. For entry-level positions at competitive companies, SNHU may carry less weight than a traditional university.
Financial Aid
- Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year
- SNHU scholarships: Various institutional awards
- Military benefits: GI Bill, tuition assistance — SNHU is military-friendly
- Employer tuition reimbursement: SNHU is widely approved
A Pell Grant covers about 20% of total tuition. Most SNHU students fund their degrees through a combination of grants, employer reimbursement, and federal student loans.
Is SNHU Worth It?
It depends on the alternative. If the choice is between SNHU at $38,400 and a for-profit online school at $60,000+, SNHU is clearly better. If the choice is between SNHU and WGU at $12,000, or your state university's online program at $15,000, SNHU is harder to justify on cost alone.
SNHU makes sense when you need program variety (liberal arts, creative fields), prefer structured coursework, or want a larger support system. It does not make sense if you are purely cost-optimizing.
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