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Southern New Hampshire University vs Keene State College

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university in Manchester, NH, and Keene State College is a public college in Keene, NH. Keene State College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 90% of applicants against 100% at Southern New Hampshire University. Keene State College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,887 a year against $36,708 at Southern New Hampshire University. About 59% of students graduate at Keene State College, compared with 44% at Southern New Hampshire University. Ten years after enrolling, Keene State College alumni earn a median of about $54,368, against $50,318 for Southern New Hampshire University.

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Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private

Keene State College

Keene, NH · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Manchester, NH
Keene, NH
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
163,164
2,699
Acceptance rate
100%
90%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.21–3.71
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1160
970–1170
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
24–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,708
$17,887
Full cost / yr
$40,918
$29,993
In-state tuition
$17,200
$14,784
Out-of-state tuition
$17,200
$26,840
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$36,441
$12,192
$30k - $48k
$36,536
$12,536
$48k - $75k
$36,641
$16,045
$75k - $110k
$37,704
$18,004
Over $110k
$38,025
$22,928
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
59%
Freshman retention
61%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,945
$46,649
Median earnings (10 yr)
$50,318
$54,368
Median debt at graduation
$21,082
$25,749
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
26%
First-generation students
48%
23%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College harder to get into?
Keene State College is harder to get into. It admits about 90% of applicants, compared with 100% at Southern New Hampshire University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?
Keene State College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,887 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,708 at Southern New Hampshire University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Southern New Hampshire University and Keene State College?
Before aid, Keene State College costs about $29,993 a year and Southern New Hampshire University about $40,918. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?
Keene State College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,192 there, against about $36,441 at Southern New Hampshire University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College?
Southern New Hampshire University is the larger of the two, with about 163,164 undergraduates against 2,699 at Keene State College.
Does Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College have a better graduation rate?
Keene State College has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 44% at Southern New Hampshire University.
Do graduates of Southern New Hampshire University or Keene State College earn more?
Keene State College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $54,368 ten years after enrolling, against about $50,318 for Southern New Hampshire University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Southern New Hampshire University and Keene State College require SAT or ACT scores?
Southern New Hampshire University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Keene State College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Southern New Hampshire University and Keene State College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1160 at Southern New Hampshire University and 970–1170 at Keene State College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school