Hampshire College vs. Southern New Hampshire University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern New Hampshire University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (189,531 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Southern New Hampshire University is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Southern New Hampshire University 24:1.

Hampshire College vs. Southern New Hampshire University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College or Southern New Hampshire University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hampshire College than Southern New Hampshire University ($27,895 vs. $36,501).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern New Hampshire University are 19.8% lower than at Hampshire College ($12,800 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 242.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern New Hampshire University (about $41,696 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 242.4% higher at Hampshire College than at Southern New Hampshire University (about $41,696 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Southern New Hampshire University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 924.1% larger than aid received by Southern New Hampshire University students ($46,145 vs. $4,506).

Hampshire College vs. Southern New Hampshire University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College or Southern New Hampshire University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southern New Hampshire University and Hampshire College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Southern New Hampshire University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Southern New Hampshire University has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 38% at Southern New Hampshire University.

Hampshire College vs. Southern New Hampshire University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College and Southern New Hampshire University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Hampshire College is the same as at Southern New Hampshire University (61% vs. 61%).
• Graduates from Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have a $4,715 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($18,816 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($194 vs. $243).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern New Hampshire University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.