Choosing between online universities shouldn't feel like guesswork. When you're comparing Nexford University and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), you're looking at two fundamentally different approaches to online education—and the choice comes down to what matters most for your situation.

SNHU built one of the nation's largest online programs with over 200 degree options and substantial institutional infrastructure. It's an established player with traditional structures, regional accreditation, and the resources you'd expect from a major university.

Nexford took a different approach. We designed our university from the ground up for working professionals who need flexibility and affordability without sacrificing quality. No legacy systems to work around. No traditional structures to adapt. Just a modern platform built for how people actually learn today.

This guide breaks down the key differences between Nexford and SNHU across the factors that actually matter: cost, flexibility, career support, and outcomes. We're not here to tell you SNHU is wrong for everyone—it's not. But we'll show you exactly where Nexford delivers better value for working professionals pursuing business and technology degrees.

Let's get into it.

Quick Overview

Nexford University

Founded: 2019
Focus: Business and technology programs for working professionals
Accreditation: DEAC (National)
Model: Pay-per-course (undergrad) / Monthly subscription (grad)
Start Dates: 1st of every month
Programs: BBA, MBA, MS
Total Enrollment: Learners from 100+ countries

Key Differentiator: Country-adjusted pricing and true self-paced learning designed specifically for working adults worldwide.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Founded: 1932
Focus: Comprehensive online university with broad program selection
Accreditation: NECHE (Regional)
Model: Per-credit tuition
Start Dates: Multiple terms throughout the year
Programs: 200+ online degree programs
Total Enrollment: 200,000+ online students

Key Differentiator: Institutional scale, program breadth, and established reputation with extensive resources.

The Core Difference: Philosophy and Design

Here's what really sets Nexford and SNHU apart—it's not just about individual features, but the fundamental approach to online education.

SNHU's Approach:
SNHU adapted its traditional university model for online delivery. It's an established institution that brought its existing infrastructure, processes, and semester-based structure to the digital space. You get the benefits of a large, resourced institution—extensive program options, library access, established reputation—but also the constraints of traditional academic structures.

Nexford's Approach:
We started with a blank slate. Instead of adapting old models, we asked: "What would a university look like if you designed it today, specifically for working adults?" The answer: monthly starts, true self-pacing, country-adjusted pricing, integrated career coaching, and project-based learning using real company case studies. No legacy systems. No adapting semester structures because "that's how it's always been done."

Neither approach is inherently wrong. The question is: which one fits your life?

Cost Comparison: The Most Dramatic Difference

Let's start with the number that matters most to many students: what you'll actually pay.

Undergraduate Programs (BBA/Bachelor's)

Nexford:

• Cost: $4,800-$10,000 total (depending on your country) [1]
• Model: Pay-per-course ($120-$250 per course based on location) [1]
• Total Program: 40 courses [2]
• Transparency: Know your exact total cost from day one

SNHU:

• Cost: $41,040 total [3][5]
• Model: $342 per credit × 120 credits [3]
• Variables: Financial aid, scholarships, transfer credits can reduce cost
• Transparency: Final cost depends on credits transferred and aid received

The Difference: Nexford saves you $31,040-$36,240 compared to SNHU's sticker price. Even with SNHU scholarships, Nexford's cost is significantly lower.

Graduate Programs (MBA)

Nexford:

• Cost: $3,300-$8,100 total (depending on completion speed and country) [1]
• Model: Monthly subscription ($275-$450 per month) [1]
• Average Completion: 12-18 months (can finish in 9 months if accelerated)
• Transparency: Faster completion = lower total cost

SNHU:

• Cost: $19,770 total [3]
• Model: $659 per credit × 30 credits [4]
• Average Completion: Varies by program
• Variables: Financial aid and transfer credits may apply

The Difference: Nexford saves you $11,670 - $16,470 on MBA programs.

Why the Cost Gap?

We're often asked: "How does Nexford charge so much less while maintaining quality?"

Three reasons:

1. No physical infrastructure: We don't maintain campuses, buildings, or sports facilities. Those savings go directly to students.
   
   
2. Global pricing model: We adjust pricing to local economic factors in 100+ countries. [1] SNHU charges everyone the same U.S.-based rates.
   
   
3. Efficient design: Our platform was built from scratch for online learning. No legacy systems to maintain or adapt.
   
   

The result: exceptional value without compromising quality.

Flexibility: How You Learn vs. When You're Told to Learn

Start Dates

Nexford:

• Monthly starts on the 1st of every month
• Apply, enroll, and begin when you're ready
• No waiting for semester schedules

SNHU:

• Multiple start dates throughout the year
• 8-week terms with scheduled start dates
• More frequent than traditional semesters, but still predetermined

The Difference: Need to start in March? Or July? Or next Tuesday? Nexford lets you begin on the 1st of any month without waiting for the next term cycle.

Learning Pace

Nexford:

• True self-paced learning
• No term deadlines
• Accelerate when possible, slow down when life demands it
• Complete your MBA in 9 months or take longer—your choice
• Control your timeline completely

SNHU:

• 8-week terms with structured schedules
• Assignments due within each term
• Progress through programs on predetermined timelines
• Can adjust pace somewhat, but within term constraints

The Difference: Nexford removes artificial time constraints. Your promotion happens next month and you want to accelerate? Do it. Family emergency and you need to slow down? No problem. Life doesn't happen in 8-week increments—your education shouldn't either.

Platform and Access

Nexford:

• Mobile-optimized platform built for modern learners
• Study anywhere, anytime, on any device
• Designed specifically for online learning from day one
• No legacy learning management systems

SNHU:

• Established online platform with 24/7 access
• Years of refinement based on feedback
• Extensive technical support
• Large-scale infrastructure

The Difference: Both offer 24/7 access. Nexford's platform was designed from scratch for mobile-first learning; SNHU's has evolved over time from traditional systems.

Career Support: Proactive vs. Available

This is where philosophy really matters.

Nexford's Approach: Integrated Career Coaching

Career Success Coach from Day One: Every Nexford student gets a Career Success Coach from enrollment—not just near graduation.

What This Means:

• Building your career while you learn, not after
• Resume refinement throughout your program
• Network building from the start
• Interview preparation integrated into your timeline
• Professional development as part of the journey

Philosophy: Your degree should advance your career immediately, not after you graduate. Career development isn't a separate service—it's integrated into your entire learning experience.

SNHU's Approach: Career Services Available

Career Services: SNHU offers career counseling, resume reviews, and job search support.

What This Means:

• Access career services when you need them
• Extensive resources available
• Job fairs and employer connections
• Resume and interview support

Philosophy: Career services are available as a resource when students proactively seek them out.

The Difference

The distinction isn't whether career support exists—both universities offer it. The difference is integration vs. availability.

At Nexford, career coaching is proactive. Your Career Success Coach reaches out to you. You're building your career from course one, not course forty.

At SNHU, career services exist, but you access them when you decide to. For self-motivated students who know to seek resources, this works fine. For students who might not think about career development until late in their program, opportunities may be missed.

Bottom line: If you value someone proactively helping you build your career from enrollment, Nexford's model delivers this. If you prefer accessing services on your own timeline, SNHU provides robust resources when you're ready.

Learning Experience: Theory vs. Practice

Nexford: Project-Based Learning

Real Company Case Studies: Every course includes projects based on real challenges from companies like Tesla, Amazon, Apple, and Google.

What You Create:

• Marketing campaigns
• Financial models
• Business strategies
• Data analyses
• Pitch decks

Portfolio Building: You graduate with tangible work samples to show employers—not just grades on a transcript.

Faculty: Professional instructors whose primary role is teaching and mentoring

SNHU: Comprehensive Academic Experience

Course Structure: Discussion boards, assignments, projects, and exams across 200+ programs

What You Experience:

• Academic rigor across diverse fields
• Extensive library resources
• Research opportunities
• Traditional academic assessments

Faculty: Mix of full-time and adjunct faculty with academic credentials

Scale: Massive course catalog across business, liberal arts, STEM, education, and more

The Difference

Nexford focuses on application. You're solving real business problems using real company data. You graduate ready to immediately apply what you've learned.

SNHU offers breadth. You get comprehensive academic programs across virtually every field imaginable, with the depth of resources that come from institutional scale.

Choose Nexford if: You want skills you can use tomorrow. You value learning by doing rather than learning by reading.

Choose SNHU if: You're pursuing fields outside business/tech. You value traditional academic structures and comprehensive program options.

Global Accessibility: One-Size-Fits-All vs. Tailored Pricing

Nexford: Country-Adjusted Pricing

Global Model: Pricing adjusted based on local economic factors in 100+ countries [1]

What This Means:

• A student in the Philippines pays different rates than a student in Switzerland
• Pricing reflects local purchasing power
• Quality education genuinely accessible worldwide
• Same degree, same quality, adjusted affordability

Philosophy: Education should be accessible regardless of where you live. Charging someone in Nigeria the same as someone in Norway doesn't reflect economic reality.

SNHU: Standard U.S. Pricing

Model: $342 per credit for undergraduates, $659 per credit for graduates—same for all students [3]

What This Means:

• Consistent pricing regardless of location
• International students pay U.S. rates
• Same cost structure for domestic and international students

Philosophy: Standard pricing with financial aid available to eligible students.

The Difference

If you're in the United States, this distinction might not matter much. If you're outside the U.S., Nexford's country-adjusted pricing can make the difference between affordable and impossible.

Example: A BBA at Nexford might cost $4,800 in one country and $10,000 in another—both significantly less than SNHU's $41,040 single price point.

Program Options: Focused vs. Comprehensive

Nexford: Business and Technology

Programs:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Digital Transformation

Specializations:

• AI & Automation (BBA)
• AI & Automation (MBA)
• E-Commerce (MBA)
• Sustainability (MBA)
• Digital Marketing (BBA)
• Entrepreneurship (BBA)
• And more

Philosophy: Do a few things exceptionally well. Focus on what working professionals need most: business and technology skills.

SNHU: 200+ Programs

Programs: Over 200 online degree programs across:

• Business
• Education
• Liberal Arts
• STEM
• Healthcare
• Criminal Justice
• And many more

Philosophy: Comprehensive university serving diverse educational needs.

The Difference

Choose Nexford if: You're pursuing business or technology degrees. You don't need 200 program options—you need one excellent program that fits your goals.

Choose SNHU if: You're pursuing fields outside business and technology. You need specialized programs that Nexford doesn't offer. Program breadth matters to you.

Accreditation: National vs. Regional

Let's address this directly, because it's often the first question.

Nexford: DEAC (National Accreditation)

• Accreditor: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
• Recognition: U.S. Department of Education and CHEA recognized
• Focus: Specifically designed for distance education
• Transferability: Credits may transfer, but not guaranteed at all institutions

Learn more about Nexford's accreditation.

SNHU: NECHE (Regional Accreditation)

• Accreditor: New England Commission of Higher Education
• Recognition: Regional accreditation (most common in U.S.)
• Transferability: Generally wider acceptance for credit transfer
• Traditional: Standard for most U.S. universities

What This Actually Means

For employers: Both accreditations signal legitimate, quality education. Your degree holds value either way.

For further education: If you plan to pursue additional degrees at traditional universities, regional accreditation (SNHU) may make transfer easier. Not impossible with national accreditation, but potentially smoother.

For your career: For most business and technology careers, the distinction matters less than your actual skills and experience. Employers care about what you can do, not which accreditor approved your university.

Our Take

We're honest about this: if your specific career path or future education plans require regional accreditation, SNHU delivers that. We chose DEAC accreditation because it's specifically designed for distance education and aligns with our global model.

For the vast majority of working professionals pursuing business and technology careers, DEAC accreditation provides the legitimacy you need while allowing us to maintain our affordable, globally accessible model.

Choose SNHU if: You specifically need NECHE regional accreditation for your career or education plans.

Choose Nexford if: You value affordability and flexibility, and DEAC national accreditation meets your needs.

The Bottom Line

Here's what it comes down to:

SNHU is an established university that brought traditional structures online. You get comprehensive program options, substantial resources, regional accreditation, and the benefits (and constraints) of a large institution. For students pursuing specialized fields with strong financial aid, SNHU delivers value.

Nexford is a modern university designed from the ground up for working adults. You get affordability, flexibility, integrated career coaching, and a learning model built around real-world application. For working professionals pursuing business and technology degrees, Nexford delivers exceptional value.

Neither is objectively "better"—they're different tools for different situations.

For Most Working Professionals Pursuing Business or Technology Degrees, Nexford Makes More Sense

Here's why we believe this:

Cost: Saving $31,040-$36,240 on a bachelor's degree or $11,670 - $16,470 on an MBA isn't a small difference—it's life-changing money. That's a house down payment, a business investment, or years of financial breathing room.

Flexibility: True self-paced learning with monthly starts fits your life, not someone else's academic calendar. Life doesn't pause for semester breaks.

Career Focus: A Career Success Coach from enrollment means you're building your career from day one, not just earning credits.

Practical Skills: Project-based learning with real company case studies means you graduate ready to apply what you've learned immediately.

Global Accessibility: Country-adjusted pricing makes quality education genuinely accessible worldwide.

But if you're pursuing specialized programs outside business and technology, need NECHE regional accreditation specifically, or have substantial financial aid covering SNHU's costs, then SNHU might be the right choice for your situation.

The question isn't which university is better in some abstract sense. The question is: which one fits your goals, your budget, and your life?

Ready to Learn More?

If Nexford sounds like the right fit for your goals, here's how to take the next step:

Explore Nexford's Programs →

• BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• MS in Digital Transformation

Start Your Application →

• No application fee - Get started for free
• Monthly start dates - Begin when you're ready
• Speak with an advisor - Get personalized guidance

View Detailed Tuition →

• See country-specific pricing
• Understand the complete cost
• No hidden fees, no surprises

Your future doesn't have to wait for the next semester. And it definitely doesn't have to cost $41,000.

Take the first step today.

References

nexford.edu:

• [1] https://www.nexford.edu/tuition 
• [2] https://catalog.nexford.edu/university-catalog/v6.1.1/learner-account-tuition-and-fees 

snhu.edu:

• [3] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-business-administration
• [4] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/masters/mba-online 
• [5] https://www.snhu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/paying-for-college

Disclaimer

Last updated: November 2025

This comparison was written and fact-checked as of November 2025. Tuition rates, program offerings, and policies can change. We strongly recommend confirming current details directly with each university before making enrollment decisions.

As this comparison is published by Nexford University, we acknowledge our perspective. We've aimed to present both institutions fairly while highlighting why we believe Nexford offers exceptional value for working professionals pursuing business and technology degrees.

We encourage you to research both options thoroughly and make the decision that best fits your individual circumstances.