10 Graduate Schools That Accept SNHU Degrees 2026

Deciding where to earn your bachelor's degree can feel like it carries extra weight when graduate school is part of the plan, but the reality is far simpler than it seems. Graduate programs care much more about your academic performance and application strength than the name of your undergraduate institution. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is regionally accredited, which means a bachelor's degree from SNHU meets the baseline requirement nearly every graduate school in the country looks for.

Below, we cover whether graduate schools accept degrees from SNHU, 10 accessible options to consider, what else graduate admissions typically require, and which of SNHU's own online master's degrees might be worth exploring if you'd rather continue your education where you started.

Do Graduate Schools Accept Degrees From SNHU?

Virtually every accredited graduate program accepts a bachelor's degree from any institutionally accredited college or university, and SNHU's accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) satisfies that standard. Graduate schools don't maintain lists of "approved" undergraduate institutions; they simply require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, regardless of its size, reputation, or delivery format.

What actually varies by graduate program isn't whether your degree will be accepted, but how competitive your application is once you apply. Admissions committees weigh factors like your undergraduate GPA, standardized test scores (where required), letters of recommendation, and personal statement far more heavily than which specific college you attended. In other words, an SNHU degree gets your application in the door; the strength of your academic record and supporting materials determines how far it goes from there.

10 Graduate Schools That Accept SNHU Degrees 

All 10 graduate schools listed below are institutionally accredited, meaning a bachelor's degree from SNHU meets the baseline requirement for admission to each one. This list highlights a deliberate mix of reputable universities, highly accessible online options, and public schools that balance the two, though it's far from exhaustive, since virtually any accredited graduate program will accept an SNHU degree. 

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is located in Tempe, Arizona, and is one of the largest public research universities in the country. It's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its ASU Online platform delivers an extensive catalog of graduate programs across fields like business, engineering, education, and public policy.

Popular online graduate programs include an MBA, a Master of Education, and a Master of Science in Information Technology, many of which offer multiple start dates throughout the year. Admission requirements vary by program but generally include a completed bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and sometimes letters of recommendation or a personal statement, with test scores waived for many programs.

2. Boston University

Boston University is a private research university located in Boston offering graduate programs both on campus and through its extensive online learning platform. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

Boston University offers well-regarded online graduate programs, including a Master of Science in Computer Science, a Master of Public Health, and an MBA, alongside admission requirements that typically include a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

3. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) is a fully online public university headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and part of the Colorado State University System. Founded in 2007, it was the first statutorily defined, fully online public university in the country.

CSU Global is accredited by the HLC. Its graduate offerings focus heavily on management, human resources, and data analytics, including a Master of Science in Data Analytics and a Master of Organizational Leadership, all delivered asynchronously with a locked-in "Tuition Guarantee" rate. Admission typically requires a bachelor's degree and official transcripts, with many programs not requiring standardized test scores.

4. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is accredited by the HLC, the same regional accrediting body that oversees several other public universities across the Midwest. FHSU is one of the best online colleges in Kansas.

Located in Hays, Kansas, Fort Hays State delivers a wide range of online graduate programs through FHSU Online, including a Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Counseling. The university is known for consistent, affordable tuition pricing regardless of residency, along with dedicated online success coaches to support graduate students. Admission requirements generally include a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and program-specific prerequisites depending on the field.

5. George Washington University

George Washington University is a private research university located in Washington, D.C. It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which oversees institutions throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

The university offers a wide range of online and hybrid graduate programs through its various schools, including a Master of Public Health through its Milken Institute School of Public Health and multiple Master of Science and Master of Health Administration programs. Admission requirements typically include a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement, with some programs also requesting relevant work experience or prerequisite coursework.

6. Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is known for offering a range of highly accessible online graduate programs with generous acceptance rates. It's a public university that serves a large population of working adult and nontraditional students.

The university is accredited by the HLC. Missouri Western offers online graduate programs including a Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management, and a Master of Science in Forensic Investigation, several of which don't require standardized test scores for admission. Admission typically requires a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and a GPA around 2.75, making it one of the more approachable options on this list.

7. National University

Another college that accepts SNHU credits is National University, a private, nonprofit university headquartered in San Diego, with additional campuses throughout the state and a large online student population. It's designed specifically for adult learners balancing coursework with work and family responsibilities.

The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). National University offers online graduate programs such as a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management, many of which don't require standardized test scores or an application fee. 

8. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is one of the top-ranked public research universities in the country, with a well-established reputation across nearly every graduate field it offers.

It's accredited by the HLC and located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Graduate programs include a Master of Public Health through its School of Public Health, along with degrees in business, education, and health services administration, some of which are available in online or hybrid formats. Admission requirements are competitive and generally include a bachelor's degree, strong academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

9. University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university located in Reno, Nevada, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The university has expanded its online graduate offerings in recent years, particularly in nursing and business, including an online MBA designed to connect students with applied learning opportunities. Admission requirements typically include a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and program-specific prerequisites, with some healthcare-related programs requiring relevant clinical experience.

10. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and is a private, nonprofit university built entirely around a competency-based learning model rather than traditional credit hours.

WGU is accredited by the NWCCU and is another college that accepts SNHU credits. Graduate programs are offered in business, information technology, education, and healthcare, including an MBA in Healthcare Management and a Master of Science in Accounting, with flat-rate tuition that allows students to move through coursework at their own pace. 

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. When it comes to the graduate schools on this list, we also look at:

• Institutional accreditation: Whether the school holds accreditation from a recognized regional or national accrediting body, which affects everything from financial aid eligibility to employer recognition.
• Accepts SNHU degrees: Whether the school accepts a bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited university like SNHU, which applies to virtually every accredited graduate school on this list.
• Program variety and online availability: Whether the school offers a range of graduate programs, including options that can be completed fully online or in a hybrid format for working professionals.
• Admissions accessibility: General admissions requirements, such as GPA expectations and whether standardized test scores are required, which indicate how realistic admission is for a broad range of applicants.

What Else Do Graduate Schools Require Besides Accreditation? 

Since your undergraduate institution's accreditation is rarely a deciding factor, understanding what else graduate programs actually weigh can help you build a stronger application, regardless of where you earned your bachelor's degree.

Undergraduate GPA

Most graduate programs set a minimum GPA requirement, commonly somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0, though competitive programs may expect higher. Some schools also allow provisional acceptance for applicants slightly below the standard threshold, so a lower GPA doesn't necessarily rule out an otherwise strong applicant.

Standardized Tests

Many graduate programs have moved away from requiring the GRE or GMAT, particularly in fields like education, business, and public administration. That said, some competitive or research-focused programs still require scores, so it's worth confirming each program's specific policy before applying.

Letters of Recommendation

Most graduate programs request one to two letters of recommendation, ideally from professors or supervisors who can speak to your academic ability, work ethic, and readiness for graduate-level coursework.

Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose

Your personal statement is your opportunity to explain your motivations for pursuing the degree, connect your academic and professional background to your goals, and demonstrate your writing ability, a skill that matters across nearly every graduate field.

Relevant Work Experience or Prerequisites

Some graduate programs, particularly professional degrees like an MBA or MHA, prefer or require a certain amount of relevant work experience. Others may require specific undergraduate coursework as a prerequisite, depending on the field.

Graduate Degrees Offered by SNHU

If you're weighing whether to transfer to a new institution for graduate school or continue on with SNHU, it's worth knowing that SNHU itself offers a substantial catalog of fully online master's degrees across dozens of fields.

• Business and Management: Options include an MBA with 17 concentrations, ranging from finance and entrepreneurship to sport management and sustainability, along with standalone master's degrees in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Project Management & Operations.
• Technology and Data: SNHU offers master's degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Data Analytics, with concentrations spanning artificial intelligence, software engineering, healthcare informatics, and information security.
• Education: The MEd in Curriculum & Instruction includes concentrations in Special Education, Educational Leadership, Reading, and Technology Integration, alongside a separate Master of Science in Higher Education Administration.
• Healthcare and Nursing: Options include a Master of Public Health, a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN, and additional MSN concentrations in Nurse Executive Leadership, Nursing Education, and Population Health, along with a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration.
• Psychology and Counseling: SNHU offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Science in Psychology, with concentrations in Forensic Psychology, Child & Developmental Psychology, and Industrial & Organizational Psychology.
• Liberal Arts and Communication: Options include a Master of Arts in English & Creative Writing (with concentrations in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting), a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, a Master of Arts in History, and a Master of Arts in Communication.
• Criminal Justice and Public Service: SNHU offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with concentrations in Cybercrime and Public Safety Administration, along with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.

With this many fully online programs, many SNHU graduates find that continuing on with a master's degree at SNHU is a natural next step, particularly if they're already familiar with the university's online format and want to avoid the transfer or new-application process altogether.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Graduate School Application 

A few intentional steps can help make your graduate school application as competitive as possible, regardless of which program you're applying to.

• Research each program's specific requirements early: Admissions requirements can vary significantly by school and program, so confirm GPA minimums, test score policies, and prerequisite coursework well before your application deadline.
• Request letters of recommendation with plenty of notice: Give your recommenders several weeks, or longer, to write a thoughtful letter, and provide them with context about the program and your goals.
• Tailor your personal statement to each program: Avoid submitting a generic statement to multiple schools; instead, connect your specific goals to what makes each program a strong fit.
• Address any GPA concerns directly: If your undergraduate GPA doesn't reflect your current abilities, consider including an addendum that explains extenuating circumstances or highlights academic improvement over time.
• Gain relevant experience where possible: For professional degrees, seek out internships, certifications, or job responsibilities that align with your intended field before applying.
• Stay organized across multiple applications: If you're applying to several programs, track deadlines, requirements, and recommender contacts closely to avoid last-minute scrambling.

FAQs About Graduate School Admission With an SNHU Degree  

If you're considering graduate school after earning a degree at SNHU, these answers address some of the most common questions about admissions requirements and how your undergraduate experience factors in.

Does Your Undergraduate Major Matter for Graduate School?

Some graduate degrees, particularly professional or clinical fields like nursing or counseling, require a related undergraduate background or specific prerequisite coursework. Many other programs, such as an MBA or a Master of Public Administration, don't require a specific undergraduate major, though a related background can strengthen your application.

Does an Online Degree Affect Graduate School Admission?

Graduate schools evaluate your degree based on your institution's accreditation, not whether your coursework was completed online or on campus. As long as your bachelor's degree comes from an accredited institution like SNHU, an online format won't count against you in the admissions process.

Do You Need the GRE or GMAT To Get Into Graduate School?

Many graduate programs, especially online and professional degrees, have dropped standardized testing requirements entirely. Some competitive or research-focused programs still require the GRE or GMAT, so it's worth confirming each program's specific policy before applying.

Can You Get Into Graduate School With a Low GPA?

Many graduate programs set GPA minimums between 2.5 and 3.0, and some offer provisional acceptance for applicants slightly below that threshold. If your GPA is a concern, an addendum explaining extenuating circumstances or highlighting academic improvement can help strengthen your application.

Is Work Experience Required for Graduate School?

It depends on the program. Some professional degrees, like an MBA or Master of Healthcare Administration, may prefer or require a certain amount of relevant work experience, while many other master's programs accept students directly from their undergraduate degree without a work history requirement.

Find Online Graduate Degrees

Whether you choose to transfer elsewhere or continue on with SNHU's own graduate programs, an accredited bachelor's degree from SNHU meets the baseline requirement nearly every graduate school looks for. Explore the online degree programs featured on Learn.org, and reach out to your target schools directly to confirm their specific admissions requirements.