Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern New Hampshire University
Associate's Degree
snhu.eduAnalysis
Southern New Hampshire University's liberal arts associate's program dramatically outperforms expectations, with graduates earning $43,806 in their first year—placing it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within New Hampshire. To put this in perspective, the national median for similar programs is just $27,248, meaning SNHU graduates earn about 61% more than the typical graduate. Even within New Hampshire, where the state median is $32,950, SNHU graduates earn roughly $11,000 more annually.
The debt picture is remarkably favorable. At $19,592, student debt sits in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt), and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is quite manageable. While SNHU's debt is higher than New Hampshire's median of $13,299, the substantially higher earnings more than compensate. Graduates see solid 10% earnings growth over four years, reaching $48,162.
This represents exceptional value for a liberal arts associate's degree, especially considering SNHU's 96% admission rate and the fact that 47% of students receive Pell grants. The combination of strong post-graduation earnings, reasonable debt levels, and broad accessibility makes this program a standout choice that should reassure parents about return on investment.
Where Southern New Hampshire University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Southern New Hampshire University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | $43,806 | $48,162 | +10% |
| Columbia Southern University | $55,667 | $60,690 | +9% |
| Great Bay Community College | $35,497 | $41,191 | +16% |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College | $30,403 | $34,737 | +14% |
| Nashua Community College | $18,497 | $34,395 | +86% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester | $16,450 | $43,806 | $48,162 | $19,592 | 0.45 |
 Great Bay Community CollegePortsmouth | $7,200 | $35,497 | $41,191 | $12,500 | 0.35 |
 NHTI-Concord's Community CollegeConcord | $7,200 | $30,403 | $34,737 | $14,098 | 0.46 |
 Nashua Community CollegeNashua | $7,140 | $18,497 | $34,395 | $10,000 | 0.54 |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern New Hampshire University, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 328 graduates with reported earnings and 913 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.