Southern New Hampshire University vs University of the People

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.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University

Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory

Affordable accredited degrees with 24/7 online access

Paid
University of the People

University of the People

Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory

Tuition-free accredited online university

Freemium

Our pick: Southern New Hampshire University. Our editors rank Southern New Hampshire University higher overall in Online Degree Programs — but University of the People can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review

Compare the details

Southern New Hampshire UniversityUniversity of the People
Pricing modelPaidFreemium
Starting priceSee websiteSee website
CategoryBachelorsBachelors
Editorial rank#1 of 15#5 of 15

Strengths

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

University of the People

  • Tuition-free with only small per-course assessment fees
  • Fully accredited by the DEAC with WSCUC candidacy
  • Open admissions policy removes traditional barriers
  • Globally accessible for international students
  • Partnership with top institutions for transfer pathways

Watch out for

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

University of the People

  • !Limited program selection compared to larger universities
  • !Peer-based learning model may not suit all students
  • !Less brand recognition with some employers
  • !Assessment fees still add up over a full degree

Best use cases

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

University of the People

  • International students seeking an affordable American degree
  • Low-income learners who cannot afford traditional tuition
  • Self-motivated students comfortable with peer-based learning

About each tool

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.

University of the People

University of the People is the first nonprofit, tuition-free, accredited American online university. Students pay only modest assessment fees per course. The institution focuses on opening access to higher education globally, offering programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.

Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.

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