Purdue Global vs Southern New Hampshire University
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top online degree programs picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Purdue Global
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Career-focused online degrees backed by Purdue University
Southern New Hampshire University
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
Affordable accredited degrees with 24/7 online access
Our pick: Southern New Hampshire University. Our editors rank Southern New Hampshire University higher overall in Online Degree Programs — but Purdue Global can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Purdue Global | Southern New Hampshire University | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Bachelors | Bachelors |
| Editorial rank | #4 of 15 | #1 of 15 |
Strengths
Purdue Global
- ✓Backed by the well-known Purdue University brand
- ✓ExcelTrack programs allow accelerated degree completion
- ✓Personalized learning paths based on prior experience
- ✓Generous credit transfer and prior learning assessment options
Southern New Hampshire University
- ✓Among the lowest tuition rates for private nonprofit universities
- ✓Accepts up to 90 transfer credits to accelerate completion
- ✓Over 200 degree programs spanning many disciplines
- ✓24/7 online access with flexible course scheduling
- ✓Dedicated academic advisors assigned to each student
Watch out for
Purdue Global
- !Distinct from Purdue West Lafayette which carries more prestige
- !Some programs have limited specialization options
- !Student-to-faculty ratios can be high in popular programs
Southern New Hampshire University
- !Large class sizes can make it harder to build faculty relationships
- !Limited campus experience for those wanting a traditional feel
- !Some employers may still prefer traditional university names
- !Graduate programs can be more expensive than undergraduate
Best use cases
Purdue Global
- →Working adults wanting a recognized university brand for their resume
- →Students looking to accelerate through material they already know
- →Career changers in business, IT, or healthcare fields
Southern New Hampshire University
- →Working adults seeking an affordable bachelor's degree on a flexible schedule
- →Military service members and veterans using tuition benefits
- →Transfer students wanting maximum credit for prior coursework
About each tool
Purdue Global
Purdue Global serves working adults with career-oriented programs in business, IT, healthcare, and criminal justice. As part of the Purdue University system, students benefit from the Purdue brand while enjoying flexible online scheduling. ExcelTrack accelerated programs let qualified students finish faster.
Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU is one of the largest nonprofit online universities in the US, offering over 200 career-focused programs. With some of the lowest tuition rates among private nonprofits, SNHU provides flexible scheduling, dedicated academic advisors, and generous transfer credit policies for working adults.
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