Southern New Hampshire University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Southern New Hampshire University charges a net price of $36,708/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $146,832. Graduates earn a median $50,318 ten years after entry, $1,958/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 75 years — a 20-year net return of -$107,672, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Southern New Hampshire University's 75-year payback ranks #1,217 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 5% of them, and #13 of 20 in New Hampshire.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $36,708/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $146,832 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,318 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,958/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,082 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 75 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$107,672 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Southern New Hampshire University's own numbers. Net price $36,708 × 4 years = $146,832 total. Median earnings $50,318 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,958 a year of premium. $146,832 ÷ $1,958 = 75 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$107,672. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Southern New Hampshire University students graduate with?
A median $21,082 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $50,318 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Southern New Hampshire University students graduate?
43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $146,832 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $341,470 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Southern New Hampshire University expensive compared with other New Hampshire colleges?
Its $36,708 net price runs $18,095 above the $18,614 median across the 20 New Hampshire colleges we profile, or $72,378 more across the full degree.