Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) vs Franklin Pierce University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Franklin Pierce University (FPU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. SNHU, a private, nonprofit university, boasts a significantly higher acceptance rate (93%) compared to FPU's more selective admissions process (75%). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with SNHU excelling in business, health professions, and education, while FPU is renowned for its strengths in criminal justice, psychology, and nursing. SNHU's student body is considerably larger and more diverse, with a higher percentage of female students and a greater representation of ethnic and racial minorities. In terms of graduation rates, SNHU's four-year graduation rate stands at 34%, while FPU's is slightly higher at 40%. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects
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![]() Franklin Pierce University |
![]() Southern New Hampshire University |
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Overview |
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Location | Rindge, New Hampshire | Manchester, New Hampshire |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | 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 | 73.0% | 62.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.5% | 92.1% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 3,305 | 27,953 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,926 | 25,736 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 271 | 10,607 |
Yield rate | 9.3% | 41.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $61,400 | $38,518 |
Average net price | $27,882 | $21,502 |
Tuition | $38,100 | $15,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,680
Meal plan:
$6,210
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Room/dormitory:
$8,000
Meal plan:
$4,200
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $30,752 |
79.0%
Average amount $6,006 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
78.0%
Average amount $5,171 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,176 |
Students taking out private loans |
21.0%
Average amount $15,349 |
0.0%
Average amount $7,258 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,279
Men 46.8% Women 53.2% |
121,884
Men 36.8% Women 63.2% |
Graduate students |
498
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
23,649
Men 31.9% Women 68.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 93.2% |
International students | 4.0% | 0.6% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,205 | 1,934 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Texas New Hampshire Pennsylvania California Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 24:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 41.5% | 39.1% |
Dropout rate | 58.2% | 34.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
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