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Southern New Hampshire University Review [2024] A Review of SNHU Online

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One of the best-known and most recognized names in higher education, Southern New Hampshire University makes its name on convenience, quality, and results. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education that has become one of the most popular online colleges in the US. It was founded in 1932 and is located in Hooksett, New Hampshire. SNHU offers online programs that are designed to meet the needs of adult learners. The university has more than 100 degree and certificate programs available online.

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Searching for online schools can be tedious. This is especially true when you prefer remote learning. Unlike typical college programs, signing up for an online program may mean that you don’t have time to visit it in person. Therefore, those prospective students can only use reviews and other online information in order to research any given school. Here are some of the top FAQs about Southern New Hampshire University Online. 

Is SNHU a Good School?

When trying to choose a new online school, there are plenty of factors to consider. First of all, SNHU is a non-profit private institution. Therefore, this institution is not allowed to distribute the profits among individuals. Instead, the money they receive is invested back into the program to make it stronger and more accommodating for its students. This is one reason many people prefer to attend schools such as SNHU; a school that is constantly reinvesting money to improve the overall college experience. 

Moreover, SNHU is an accredited institution. This means that graduates are able to secure better-paying positions and or transfer their credits to other accredited colleges. Most well-known for its business and finance courses, SNHU is considered one of the most innovative schools in existence. Some of its other most well-known programs are marketing, management, education, psychology, the social sciences, and more. 

The university is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). SNHU was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its commitment to volunteerism and service learning.

Offering online, in-person, and blended learning programs, SNHU has a high level of flexibility, which makes it ideal for people from all walks of life. Additionally, SNHU is known for providing its students with a variety of tools and resources to help facilitate a positive remote learning environment. 

Southern New Hampshire University’s Most Popular Programs

SNHU appeals to adult students, especially working adults who want to move up in their career, or start new careers. It should be no surprise, then, that SNHU’s most popular programs are in business, health administration, and psychology – fields with a strong job market where professionals can make a high salary with online master’s degrees.

Program of StudyAssociateBachelorMasterDoctorate
Business Administration83744811935N/A
Health Administration1061186320N/A
PsychologyN/A2244606N/A
National Center for Education Statistics most popular degree programs.

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What is the SNHU Job Placement Rate?

Another way to determine whether a worthwhile college is the job placement rate. Job placement is a difficult thing to assess because there is very little reliable data available. The federal Department of Education began requiring for-profit and Title IV institutions to provide job placement numbers publicly, but they can only do it through surveys of their own students – there is no centralized way to obtain data. So, at best, most job placement data is based on the students who chose to answer.

When it comes to this information, SNHU obtained graduate job placement data via its annual graduate survey. Based on the 91 eligible graduates, only 21 graduates completed the survey, which means the survey had a 23% response rate. Either way, out of the 21 respondents, 90.5% were employed, which equates to 85.7% full-time and 4.8% part-time. All of the graduates who were employed were working in the mental health sector. 

SNHU Graduate’s Careers and Salaries

Like other schools, SNHU’s highest-paid graduates are those in business and tech – human resources manager, accounting manager, software engineer, and so on. These are jobs that benefit greatly from an online master’s degree.

Job TitleSalary RangeAverage Salary
Human Resources (HR) Manager$49k – $90k$73,171
Operations Manager$50k – $108k$73,784
Accounting Manager$58k – $101k$73,109
Project Manager$46k – $90k$66,623
Software Engineer$62k – $126k$77,520
Southern New Hampshire University Top Jobs by Salary

Why is SNHU’s Graduation Rate So Low?

Low graduation rates are not always a bad thing. In fact, it can be a sign that the college is properly challenging its students to ensure that they are learning the knowledge and skills required to secure great positions once they graduate. Either way, as of 2019, the graduation rate for SNHU was only 44%. When compared to other similar colleges, SNHU’s graduation rates are slightly lower. In particular, the average graduation rate for private, non-profit schools is  around 59.72%. 

Either way, while there is clearly some room for improvement, a lower graduation is usually a sign that the school should be taken seriously. Some universities are accused of being diploma mills, which means virtually anyone can receive a degree without necessarily exerting much effort. The fact that SNHU has a lower graduation rate is a sign that students are truly being challenged to learn and improve their knowledge and skill sets. On the other hand, it may be a sign that the curriculums are lacking in some way. For instance, it is possible that the materials are too dense or otherwise confusing to students. On the other hand, this could also be a sign of subpar faculty and leadership. Therefore, those who wish to attend this school should conduct research on the general effectiveness of their chosen program. 

Student Reviews

As with many colleges, the reviews for SNHU are mixed. Overall, student life seems to be the most highly reviewed aspect of attending SNHU; the average review for student life is an A+. On the other hand, diversity, the campus, safety, and campus life all received an A average. The location was given an B+ rating, and the party scene received a B+, while athletics received a B. Academics received a C+. On another note, students rated the value of the college an overall C; professors received the same rating. 

Cant SNHU Graduates Pay Back Their Loans?

In the past, SNHU graduates have had a higher student loan default rate, but things are looking up in recent years, with default rates dropping to 0% in 2020.

SNHU Fiscal Year202020192018
Default rate0%2%8.7%
Number in default18013014
Number in repayment42,51538,54434,601
National Center for Education Statistics default rates.

Southern New Hampshire University Ranking

Lastly, when it comes to school rankings, Southern New Hampshire University ranked #133-175 out of 181 Regional Universities North. Therefore, although it is not the highest-ranked school, it is certainly not the lowest. This shows that there is massive room for improvement, and given that it’s a private institution that continuously reinvests in improvement, the quality of the institution and education offered, should continue to improve over time. 

More encouragingly, SNHU ranks highly for specific programs, such as criminal justice. It is always recognized by Washington Monthly as a top choice for working adult learners and other nontraditional students, thanks to its commitment to convenience and accessibility.

Southern New Hampshire University Pros and Cons

There’s a reason people use a “Pros and Cons” list to make an important decision. Using information from the school, government education sources, etc., College Consensus has compiled possible pros and cons you may want to consider:

Pros

  • One of the most popular online schools
  • Ranked for its innovation
  • Affordable, Financial Aid available
  • Flexible online, hybrid and in-person options
  • 92% acceptance rate

Cons

  • 36% graduation rate
  • Limited course offerings
  • Limited campus experiences
  • Lack of networking opportunities
  • $21,000 after graduation debt

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