Southern New Hampshire University vs Dartmouth College
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Dartmouth College holds a 58-point ROI advantage over Southern New Hampshire University, scoring 95/100 versus 37/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Dartmouth College comes in at $29,519 per year (net price after aid) versus $36,708 at Southern New Hampshire University - a difference of $7,189 annually, or roughly $28,756 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Dartmouth College graduates earn a median of $97,434 compared to $50,318 at Southern New Hampshire University. The payback period is 18.7 years at Southern New Hampshire University versus 4.1 years at Dartmouth College.
Graduates leave Dartmouth College with a median $17,500 in debt versus $21,082 at Southern New Hampshire University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.23 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Southern New Hampshire Un... | Dartmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,200 | $68,268 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,200 | $68,268 |
| Net Price (avg) | $36,708 | $29,519 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $146,832 | $118,076 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,300 | $74,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,318 | $97,434 |
| Graduation Rate | 42.8% | 95.5% |
| Payback Period | 18.7 yr | 4.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,082 | $17,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $224 | $186 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.23 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 73.1% | 89.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 65.1% | 90.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.5% | 5.4% |
| Enrollment | 163,164 | 4,541 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Southern New Hampshi... | Dartmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $36,441 | $41 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $36,536 | $489 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $36,641 | $2,695 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $37,704 | $8,534 |
| $110,001+ | $38,025 | $52,036 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Southern New Hampshi... | Dartmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $115,259 | $201,702 |
| Mathematics | $68,414 | $168,580 |
| Economics | $86,764 | $152,929 |
| History | $49,113 | $136,403 |
| International Relations | $62,387 | $106,153 |
| Psychology | $49,769 | $86,896 |
| Anthropology | $51,100 | $70,846 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $55,733 | $67,020 |
| English Language and Literature | $47,103 | $58,090 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Southern New Hampshi... | Dartmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 19 | 91 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 28 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 76 | 97 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 26 | 99 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 49 | 94 |
| Overall ROI Score | 37 | 95 |
The Verdict
Dartmouth College significantly outperforms Southern New Hampshire University on financial ROI (95 vs 37). The 58-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Southern New Hampshire University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Dartmouth College.
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Southern New Hampshire University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Dartmouth College
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.