Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University: online and on-campus university education

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit university that combines online teaching with a physical 300-acre campus. Its academic offerings include degree programs and certificates in areas such as business, technology, social sciences, nursing and health, among others, for both on-campus and online students.

Study modalities and flexibility

The university presents itself as an institution that allows you to earn a degree "your way," with flexibility to adapt your study pace. Online programs have no set class times and offer 24/7 course access, plus on-demand tutoring and technical support. Online terms for undergraduate students are 8 weeks long, with six start dates per year; graduate terms are 10 weeks, with five starts per year. On campus, semesters follow the traditional 16-week format.

Academic offerings and career focus

SNHU offers degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's and certificate levels, organized by subject areas including accounting and finance, business and MBA, criminal justice, education, game art and design, liberal arts, math and science, nursing, psychology, social sciences, and technology and engineering. The university notes that its programs are constantly updated to respond to labor market demands, with the goal that students develop skills relevant to advancing their careers, earning a promotion or changing fields. The campus houses more than 70 academic programs.

Recognition and accreditation

The institution is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and several of its programs hold specialized accreditations. The university also mentions having received recognition from U.S. News & World Report, among others.

Support for military students and veterans

SNHU offers tuition discounts for active-duty service members and their spouses, as well as for the National Guard and Selected Reserve. It also accepts a long list of military benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill®.

Costs and credit transfer

The university presents itself as an affordable option within online higher education. According to the site's information, online tuition is $354 per credit for undergraduate programs and $659 per credit for graduate programs. The university states that earning a bachelor's degree in business administration at SNHU costs about 15% less than its closest competitor among major online universities with course-based programs. It also accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree (75% of the total), up to 45 toward an associate degree and up to 12 toward a master's degree. The institution indicates that 68% of its online bachelor's students transferred credits during the 2023-24 academic year.

Faculty and academic experience

The university highlights that its faculty have years of experience and are focused on student success. Among the names it mentions are Dr. Ben Cole, dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education; Dr. James Winfield, associate dean of academic strategy; and Dr. Jolivette Wallace, associate dean of business. The site invites you to learn about their profiles through published Q&As.

Campus life

The 300-acre campus offers more than 70 academic programs, state-of-the-art living and learning facilities, an innovative esports arena and competes in NCAA Division II.