Southern New Hampshire University: Acceptance Rate & Tuition

Southern New Hampshire University offers online and on-campus programs. It has a relatively high acceptance rate, but tuition varies depending on the learning format.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university in Manchester, New Hampshire with an acceptance rate of 96%. It's known for its wide variety of online programs but offers in-person degree programs as well.

SNHU is frequently listed in rankings for best colleges with online programs and offers programs in a variety of fields, including:

  • business administration
  • computer science
  • criminal justice.

Below, we break down SNHU's acceptance rate, tuition cost, and more.

What Is the Acceptance Rate at Southern New Hampshire University?

Southern New Hampshire University's acceptance rate is 96%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics's College Navigator tool. Of those accepted, 39% enrolled at the university.

SNHU enrolls over 160,000 students, with 96% of undergraduate students studying exclusively online. 93% are out-of-state students, 4% are in-state students, and 1% are international students. 76% of undergraduate students are part-time students. SNHU also has a student-faculty ratio is 22 to 1, which is slightly higher than the national average of 15 to 1.

Southern New Hampshire University Admissions Requirements

Southern New Hampshire University admissions requirements vary slightly depending on whether you're applying to be an on-campus student or an online student. Admissions requirements for both aren't too strict, but online requirements are more lax.

On-campus students must fill out an application and submit their official high school transcript or GED as well as a letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher. If they're transferring from another institution, they'll need to submit those transcripts.

On-campus students at SNHU generally have the following high school courses for admission:

  • four years of English
  • three years or more of math
  • two years or more of science
  • two years or more of social science

Online students will also need to apply. They'll also need to complete an attestation form confirming that they graduated from high school or received a GED. Additionally, they'll need to submit transcripts from any prior college experience.

There is no minimum high school GPA requirement for online undergraduate students. Additionally, neither in-person nor online students need to submit ACT, SAT, or any other standardized test scores, though they can if they want.

The university does not charge an application fee for students to apply. There is open enrollment for online students, so they can apply at any time, but in-person students have an application deadline, including an early action or early decision deadline.

Southern New Hampshire University Tuition and Cost Breakdown

Like with the admissions requirements, the tuition and cost at Southern New Hampshire University vary between on-campus and online students.

On-campus undergraduate students pay a tuition of $515 per credit. Fees for on-campus students may include:

  • housing: $9,000-$11,000 per year
  • dining plan: $3,800 per year
  • comprehensive fee: $1,000
  • health insurance: $1,931

This means the annual full-time, undergraduate, on-campus student will pay at least $31,181 if they live on campus.

Online students are also charged per credit, but the cost for online undergraduate credits is $330 each. This comes to $9,900 per year for 30 total credits.

Note that these totals do not include costs for things like textbooks and other equipment that students may need to complete their coursework.

How To Apply at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University provides links for both the application for in-person students and the application for off-campus students on its website. Its admissions process is relatively simple.

On-campus students will need to apply using the Common App. They'll also need to submit their official high school transcript or GED and their letter of recommendation to the SNHU Office of Admission. Again, ACT scores and SAT scores are not required.

Online students can fill out the five-minute online application provided by SNHU. Once they've finished, an admissions counselor will reach out and send them the attestation form to complete.

Students who have previous college experience can fill out the transcript request form to have their transcripts sent directly to SNHU. The school will then determine which credits will transfer.

FAQs About Acceptance Rates and Tuition at Southern New Hampshire University

Below, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about acceptance rates and tuition at Southern New Hampshire University.

Is It Hard To Get Into Southern New Hampshire University?

It's not particularly hard to get into Southern New Hampshire University, especially as an online student. There is no minimum GPA or SAT/ACT scores required and the university accepts an overwhelming majority of applicants.

Does Southern New Hampshire University Accept Financial Aid?

SNHU is a regionally accredited institution, which means that the school can accept financial aid like any other accredited university. This includes grants, scholarships, and student loans.

To find out what financial aid you qualify for, start by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The code for SNHU is 002580.

What Is the Graduation Rate at Southern New Hampshire University?

The graduation rate at Southern New Hampshire University was 41% for 2022. Graduation rate tracks how many full-time, first-time undergraduate students graduate within six years for a bachelor's degree or three years for an associate degree.

While 41% is lower than average, College Navigator points out that 'Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate.' In 2022, only 8% of students were counted for this rate.

Is a Degree From Southern New Hampshire University Respected?

Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). That accreditation means the school has met rigorous accreditation standards.

As a result, a degree from SNHU is as respected as a degree from any other regionally accredited institution. Though perhaps not as prestigious as an Ivy League school, an SNHU degree is respected just fine.