Mathematics at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's math program ranks dead last among New Hampshire's nine mathematics programs, with first-year earnings of $51,396 falling dramatically short of the state's $79,826 median. While graduates carry reasonable debt loads ($30,833, well below national averages), they're earning $28,000 less annually than their peers at other New Hampshire institutions—even accounting for Dartmouth's Ivy League premium, the gap is substantial. The earnings do grow modestly to $54,330 by year four, but this still places graduates far behind state competitors and barely above the national median.

The silver lining here is debt management: SNHU keeps borrowing costs significantly lower than the national norm, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.6. For families prioritizing access—nearly half of students receive Pell grants, and the 96% admission rate makes enrollment straightforward—this could work as an affordable path to a math degree. However, the 10th percentile state ranking reveals a harsh reality: New Hampshire employers don't value SNHU math graduates the same way they value those from competing state programs.

If your child is committed to staying in New Hampshire after graduation, investigate other in-state options first. The earnings differential is too large to ignore, especially over a career spanning decades. SNHU's math program might make sense for students who need flexible online options or have limited choices, but it's not positioned competitively within its own state market.