Southern New Hampshire University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$65,800
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,945/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
9.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
111%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Southern New Hampshire University has a high acceptance rate of 96.1% and a large student body of 156,755. The annual in-state tuition is $16,450. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $54,644. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $41,945, but increase to $50,318 ten years after graduation. The median debt for graduates is $21,082, and 59.1% of students receive financial aid.
The data suggests a positive return on investment in the short term. The one-year earnings are significantly higher than the tuition cost. However, the five-year earnings are lower than the one-year earnings. The ten-year earnings are higher than the five-year earnings.
The provided data does not include the debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline. The graduation rate is 43.2% and the retention rate is 59.9%.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,450
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,082
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,945
Graduation Rate
43%
Receive Financial Aid
59%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $85,729 | 1442% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $60,203 | 666% |
| Psychology, General | $50,157 | 361% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $75,021 | 1116% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,982 | 1085% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $83,728 | 1381% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $77,859 | 1203% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,737 | 743% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $55,054 | 510% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $35,776 | -76% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,844 | 260% |
| History | $43,759 | 166% |
Peer Comparison
111%
20yr ROI
-22%
20yr ROI
184%
20yr ROI
-4%
20yr ROI
31%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.