Southern New Hampshire University vs Western Governors University
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
Western Governors University holds a 38-point ROI advantage over Southern New Hampshire University, scoring 75/100 versus 37/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Western Governors University comes in at $12,548 per year (net price after aid) versus $36,708 at Southern New Hampshire University - a difference of $24,160 annually, or roughly $96,640 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Western Governors University graduates earn a median of $60,615 compared to $50,318 at Southern New Hampshire University. The payback period is 18.7 years at Southern New Hampshire University versus 7.4 years at Western Governors University.
Graduates leave Western Governors University with a median $11,116 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... | Western Governors Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,200 | $8,658 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,200 | $8,658 |
| Net Price (avg) | $36,708 | $12,548 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $146,832 | $50,192 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,300 | $48,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,318 | $60,615 |
| Graduation Rate | 42.8% | 46.2% |
| Payback Period | 18.7 yr | 7.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,082 | $11,116 |
| Monthly Payment | $224 | $118 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.23 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 73.1% | 70.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 65.1% | 57.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.5% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 163,164 | 155,088 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Southern New Hampshi... | Western Governors Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $36,441 | $12,064 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $36,536 | $12,436 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $36,641 | $12,578 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $37,704 | $14,824 |
| $110,001+ | $38,025 | $12,734 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Southern New Hampshi... | Western Governors Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $57,772 | $131,198 |
| Computer Science | $115,259 | $83,860 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $81,533 | $108,836 |
| Registered Nursing | $98,032 | $97,114 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,423 | $83,654 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $63,292 | $82,644 |
| Accounting | $70,181 | $75,767 |
| Marketing | $66,094 | $71,431 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $51,445 | $52,284 |
| Education, General | $42,034 | $49,646 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Southern New Hampshi... | Western Governors Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 19 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 28 | 80 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 76 | 97 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 26 | 31 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 49 | 41 |
| Overall ROI Score | 37 | 75 |
The Verdict
Western Governors University significantly outperforms Southern New Hampshire University on financial ROI (75 vs 37). The 38-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 Western Governors University.
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Southern New Hampshire University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Western Governors University
Strong 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.