Florida Tech vs Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) stand out as two distinct academic institutions with unique offerings. FIT, a private university in Melbourne, Florida, boasts a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, while SNHU, a private university based in Manchester, New Hampshire, excels in online education and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student profiles and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.

	Florida Institute of Technology	Southern New Hampshire University
Overview
Location	Melbourne, Florida	Manchester, New Hampshire
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	62.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.9%	92.1%
Application fees	$50
SAT range	1140 - 1340	N/A
ACT range	24 - 30	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	68.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%
Total number of applicants	10,650	27,953
Total number of admissions given out	7,016	25,736
Admitted students who chose to enroll	756	10,607
Yield rate	10.8%	41.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$61,442	$38,518
Average net price	$32,314	$21,502
Tuition	$42,346	$15,000
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,416 Meal plan: $5,980	Room/dormitory: $8,000 Meal plan: $4,200
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $25,807	79.0% Average amount $6,006
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,481	50.0% Average amount $5,176
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $24,026	0.0% Average amount $7,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,491 Men 69.4% Women 30.6%	121,884 Men 36.8% Women 63.2%
Graduate students	4,339 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	23,649 Men 31.9% Women 68.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	54.8%	93.2%
International students	19.3%	0.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,017	1,934
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania	Texas New Hampshire Pennsylvania California Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Psychology Business Transportation and Logistics Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Psychology Liberal Arts Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	24:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.3%	39.1%
Dropout rate	32.8%	34.5%
Transferred out	N/A	24.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,395 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $85,054 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,500 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $83,998 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,306 Year 2: $75,787 Year 3: $81,479 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,475 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $80,057 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,264 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $79,253 Air Transportation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $77,183 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,682 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $76,785 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,184 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,804 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,992 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,267 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,647 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $71,506	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,875 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $94,544 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,753 Year 2: $73,898 Year 3: $77,504 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,717 Year 2: $69,218 Year 3: $76,866 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,435 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $72,152 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,002 Year 2: $61,218 Year 3: $69,749 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,617 Year 2: $65,734 Year 3: $68,411 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,193 Year 2: $60,320 Year 3: $68,398 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $52,944 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $65,098 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,847 Year 2: $58,622 Year 3: $63,145 Human Resources Management and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $54,435 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $61,662

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Florida Tech and SNHU?

Florida Tech is a private, residential research university known for its STEM programs and hands-on learning experiences, located in Melbourne, Florida. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, non-profit university known for its online programs and flexible learning options, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, but serving a global online student body. Florida Tech emphasizes a traditional campus experience, while SNHU focuses on accessibility and convenience for working adults and other non-traditional students.
Which university is better for STEM fields?

Florida Tech is generally considered stronger in STEM fields, particularly aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, and other applied sciences. They offer extensive research opportunities and specialized labs. While SNHU offers STEM programs, their strength lies more in business, education, and liberal arts, especially in an online format.
How do the tuition costs compare?

Florida Tech typically has a higher tuition cost than SNHU. However, the actual cost can vary depending on financial aid, scholarships, and the specific program. SNHU's online programs often have a lower per-credit cost than Florida Tech's on-campus programs. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition information and to explore available financial aid options.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

Florida Tech offers a traditional campus environment with a focus on residential life, student organizations, and on-campus activities. It's located in a coastal city with a relatively small and close-knit community. SNHU, while having a physical campus, is primarily known for its online presence. The on-campus environment is geared towards supporting both traditional and online students, but the online community is significantly larger and more diverse geographically.
Which university is better for online learning?

SNHU is widely recognized for its robust and well-established online learning platform. They offer a wide range of degree programs and support services specifically designed for online students. While Florida Tech offers some online courses and programs, SNHU's online infrastructure and experience are more extensive.
What types of programs do they offer?

Florida Tech excels in aerospace, engineering, science, and technology programs. They also offer programs in business, psychology, and communication. SNHU offers a broad range of programs, including business, education, healthcare, liberal arts, and technology, with a strong emphasis on career-focused degrees. SNHU has a larger selection of programs available online.
What are the admission requirements for Florida Tech and SNHU?

Florida Tech typically has more selective admission requirements, focusing on GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and a strong academic background in math and science. SNHU generally has more flexible admission requirements, particularly for its online programs, often emphasizing work experience and prior learning. Check each university's admissions website for specific requirements and deadlines.
What kind of career services and support do they offer?

Both universities offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, resume writing, and interview skills. Florida Tech's career services are tailored to its STEM-focused programs, with connections to aerospace, engineering, and technology companies. SNHU's career services are geared towards a broader range of industries, with a focus on helping students find jobs in their chosen field, both locally and nationally, especially for online students.
How do the class sizes compare?

Florida Tech generally has smaller class sizes, which allows for more personalized attention from professors. SNHU's class sizes can vary depending on the program and whether it's online or on-campus. Online classes may have a larger number of students, but they are often structured to facilitate interaction and engagement.
Which university is more research-oriented?

Florida Tech is more research-oriented, particularly in STEM fields. They offer numerous research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, with state-of-the-art facilities and faculty actively involved in research projects. While SNHU supports faculty research, its primary focus is on teaching and providing practical skills for career advancement.
What is the location like for each university?

Florida Tech is located in Melbourne, Florida, a coastal city on the Space Coast, offering access to beaches, outdoor activities, and the Kennedy Space Center. SNHU is located in Manchester, New Hampshire, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene, close to the White Mountains and Boston. SNHU's online programs, however, allow students to study from anywhere in the world.
How do the student demographics compare?

Florida Tech has a diverse student body with a significant international student population, reflecting its strong reputation in STEM fields globally. SNHU also has a diverse student body, with a large proportion of adult learners and working professionals, particularly in its online programs. SNHU's online student body is geographically very diverse.

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