Did you know Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) was named the Most Innovative University in the North by US News & World Report in 2020? Its forward-thinking approach to post-secondary education supports an in-person student body of over 3,000 and an online cohort of over 135,000. Could you be next to join their ranks?
Image Credit: DeLarge77, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Intro to Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU opened in 1932 as a school of accounting and secretarial science. It has since evolved to become one of the fastest-growing post-secondary institutions in the United States. Today, SNHU students may choose from subjects ranging from mechanical engineering to an MBA in business analytics.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU’s mission is to:
…relentlessly [challenge] the status quo and [provide] the best support in higher education… [to] expand access to education by creating high quality, affordable, and innovative pathways to meet the unique needs of each and every learner.
A focus on the future is an integral part of the university’s outlook. This translates into innovative partnerships with industry, including a project supported by Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-needs youth.
Image Credit: Steve Lux, Jr., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Study Options
Graduates move into their careers with practical, in-demand skills that fit the needs of the modern workforce. Currently, 61 programs are offered to international students looking to complete an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree at SNHU. An intensive English program is also available.
Students with an interest in justice studies could be a great fit for SNHU, which offers five bachelor’s programs in this field. Available majors range from Law and Legal Process to Policing and Law Enforcement.
SNHU also has multiple programs in business and accounting, building on a heritage going back to the university’s founding. Whether students focus on finance, professional accountancy, or economics, they’ll graduate with a solid foundation in the applied and theoretical aspects of their field.
Other programs include:
- Associate of Science – Fashion Merchandising
- Bachelor’s of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science – Game Programming and Development
- Bachelor of Science – Sport Management
- Master of Arts – Teaching English as a Second Language
- Master of Science – Information Technology
Most programs have intakes in August, January, and September, and many offer internship or work-integrated learning opportunities. Check your target programs’ individual pages to see if they offer work experience opportunities.
Yearly tuition fees vary. For the most accurate information, please visit the SNHU program pages on the ApplyBoard Platform.
Image Credit: Graham Nadig, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Life in Manchester
The SNHU campus is located on 300 acres near downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. Students can participate in varsity athletics, esports, or join one of over 70 student clubs. Manchester is an hour’s drive from Boston, and is considered a college town—a type of community described by USA Today as:
American cities whose economy and culture are largely impacted by the local universities and colleges, and are considered by many to be idyllic places to live. They tend to be affordable, culturally vibrant communities, with healthy economies and a young, well-educated population.
Looking for something to do? The Currier Museum of Art has an impressive collection, and offers art classes to community members. Or, watch a sports game or concert at SNHU Arena. Elm Street is Manchester’s main street, and is a great place to meet friends. It’s likely you’ll run into students from other universities and colleges, with four campuses in Manchester and more nearby!
Prefer the outdoors?
- Go for a walk around Lake Massabesic or through Livingston Park.
- Take your bike on the Rockingham Rail Trail.
- Swim in Glen Lake (and keep an eye out for “Glennie,” the mythical New Hampshire cousin of the Loch Ness monster and Ogopogo).
- Try downhill skiing or snow tubing at McIntyre Ski Area.
CTA: Want to map out your living expenses? Check out our blog on the cost of living in the US!
Student Housing
International students have access to a variety of on- and off-campus housing options. Note that students living with their spouse and/or children during their studies must live off-campus.
On-campus housing includes residence halls and apartments. All student housing options are furnished, which makes settling in easier (no need to wedge a bed frame into a rental car or on transit!) and includes internet access. Students may choose from different meal plans, and have access to full-time residence directors who can answer questions or address challenges.
Each residence hall has double- or single-occupant rooms, with shared bathrooms and common spaces. These halls are most popular with first and second year students.
Conversely, residence apartments are more popular with students in their third and fourth year of undergraduate study or students pursuing a master’s degree. All apartment units can house up to four people.
Things to Know About On-Campus Housing:
- Generally, rooms and roommates are assigned in July for the fall semester and in late December for the spring semester.
- All residence halls and apartments are co-ed, except one floor in the Washington residence hall, which is only for female students.
- Is there someone you’d like to live with? Add their name to your “MyHousing” application–you’ll have to list each other as desired roommates for it to work.
- If you need special accommodations, connect with SNHU’s Campus Accessibility Centre.
Want to live off-campus? Several apartment buildings are within walking distance. Alternately, homestay options offer students the chance to live with local families. Refer to SNHU’s Housing Resources page for more info.
It’s also important to line up health and travel insurance. Review US insurance options on our blog.
Does studying abroad at Southern New Hampshire University sound like a good fit? Learn about its programs and application timelines on the ApplyBoard Platform.
