Discover Southern University of New Hampshire: A Comprehensive Guide

Southern University Of New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), located between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire, is a private university renowned for its rapid growth and positive outlook in education. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, SNHU offers degrees in various fields such as education, business, and health, making it a top choice for students worldwide.

History of Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) was founded in 1932 by Harry A.B. Shapiro and his wife, Gertrude Getrude Crockett Shapiro, as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science. The school was originally established to promote business education, but later underwent several changes that showcased its expanding academic scope.

In 1952, when H.A.B. Shapiro passed away, the university had 25 students enrolled, and his widow, Gertrude Getrude Crockett Shapiro, continued to run the college until 1971, serving as President Emerita until 1972.

In 1961, the school was incorporated and renamed the New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce. The state of New Hampshire granted the college its charter in 1963, giving it the authority to confer degrees. The first associate degree was awarded that year, and the first bachelor’s degree was awarded in 1966. In September 1968, the college became a nonprofit institution under a board of trustees and was renamed New Hampshire College in 1969.

Growth and Expansion of Southern New Hampshire University

During the 20th century, New Hampshire College moved to a vast 300-acre campus along the Merrimack River at the northern border of Manchester with the town of Hooksett in 1971 and launched its first Master of Business Administration program in 1974. The university’s name evolved alongside its academic offerings. In the 21st century, New Hampshire College became Southern New Hampshire University on July 1, 2001.

Expanding the Boundaries of Education

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students and over 170,000 online students, making it one of the nation’s fastest-growing universities. Since its founding in 1932, the university has transformed itself from a school of accounting and secretarial science into an institution offering over 200 programs in business, education, liberal arts, social sciences, and STEM. By reinventing higher education to meet the needs of today’s students and workforce, SNHU ensures that students keep pace with new technologies and professional requirements.

Accreditation and Awards of Southern New Hampshire University

• Southern New Hampshire University’s community economic development program received the New England Higher Education Excellence Award, Robert J. McKenna Award in 2007. 

• SNHU was ranked as the most innovative university in the North and among the “Best Regional Universities” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2020.

• It received the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). 

• The university was named a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education in 2013. In 2012, Fast Company ranked SNHU as the 12th most innovative company in the world in its list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies. 

• The university also offers the “Best of Business” awards for best MBA program and best online degree programs, which were won by the School of Business and COCE in 2014.

University Mission 

Southern New Hampshire University transforms learners’ lives. Our success is defined by the success of our learners. By continually challenging the status quo and providing the best support in higher education, SNHU expands access to education by creating high-quality, affordable, and innovative pathways to meet each learner's unique needs.

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Student Feedback - Jolin Stetz

“I can’t recall a single time when I needed something from SNHU and they didn’t provide it.”

Progress with Purpose

Our mission always drives us to focus on the future. This is why we are committed to leading academic paths that don’t yet exist—to help solve problems that do. From reinventing the college for working adults in 1932 to introducing online learning in 1995, and creating the groundbreaking competency-based education program in 2013, our history is a story of innovation.

Today, we continue to be recognized as transformative agents in higher education—developing custom workforce education solutions for the next generation of learners, creating community-based education, and finding new ways to make high-quality education more affordable, accessible, and available to all learners, both at home and worldwide.

• $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth.

• Recognized as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium.

• “First in the World” grant from the U.S. Department of Education for our groundbreaking launch of College for America in 2013.

All of this is done with the goal of serving and supporting learners so that we can prepare them to have a lasting, positive impact on an ever-changing world.

Academic Excellence and Innovation 

Diverse Academic Programs

SNHU is home to a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across its many colleges and schools, including the School of Business, School of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Online and Continuing Education (COCE). The university is particularly known for its focus on the fields of business, education, health, and technology.

Leadership in Online Education

With over 135,000 online students, SNHU is a leader in online education. The university’s College of Online and Continuing Education has been instrumental in meeting the needs of working adults, offering flexible learning options and innovative programs aligned with industry demands.

Campus Life and Student Opportunities

SNHU’s main campus offers a rich student life experience, with numerous student organizations including Radio SNHU and The Penmen Press. The campus also features modern facilities like the Learning Commons, which houses the library, IT help desk, and media production services.