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Southern New Hampshire University vs Keene State College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Manchester NH · vs · Public, Keene NH

The verdict

Keene State College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,548 in 11.9 years versus 75 years at Southern New Hampshire University, on median earnings of $54,368 vs $50,318 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern New Hampshire UniversityKeene State College
Net price / yr$36,708$17,887
Total net cost$146,832$71,548
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,318$54,368
Median debt$21,082$25,749
Payback75 yrs11.9 yrs
20-year net return-$107,672$48,612

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?

Keene State College, at $17,887 a year after aid versus $36,708 — a gap of $18,821 a year, or $75,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College graduates earn more?

Keene State College graduates report a median $54,368 ten years after entry, $4,050 more than the $50,318 at Southern New Hampshire University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?

Southern New Hampshire University: its completers carry a median $21,082 in federal loans versus $25,749 at Keene State College, a difference of $4,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at Keene State College, against 43% at Southern New Hampshire University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Southern New Hampshire University vs Keene State College: frequently asked questions

Is Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College a better value?
Keene State College. It clears its $71,548 net cost in about 11.9 years versus 75 years at Southern New Hampshire University, on median earnings of $54,368 vs $50,318 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?
Keene State College: $17,887/yr net price after aid versus $36,708/yr at Southern New Hampshire University — a difference of $18,821 a year, or about $75,284 over four years.
Do Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College graduates earn more?
Keene State College graduates earn a median $54,368 ten years after entry, versus $50,318 at Southern New Hampshire University — a $4,050 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.