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.
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.
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.
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?
Let's start with the number that matters most to many students: what you'll actually pay.
Nexford:
SNHU:
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.
Nexford:
SNHU:
The Difference: Nexford saves you $11,670 - $16,470 on MBA programs.
We're often asked: "How does Nexford charge so much less while maintaining quality?"
Three reasons:
The result: exceptional value without compromising quality.
Nexford:
SNHU:
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.
Nexford:
SNHU:
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.
Nexford:
SNHU:
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.
This is where philosophy really matters.
Career Success Coach from Day One: Every Nexford student gets a Career Success Coach from enrollment—not just near graduation.
What This Means:
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.
Career Services: SNHU offers career counseling, resume reviews, and job search support.
What This Means:
Philosophy: Career services are available as a resource when students proactively seek them out.
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.
Real Company Case Studies: Every course includes projects based on real challenges from companies like Tesla, Amazon, Apple, and Google.
What You Create:
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
Course Structure: Discussion boards, assignments, projects, and exams across 200+ programs
What You Experience:
Faculty: Mix of full-time and adjunct faculty with academic credentials
Scale: Massive course catalog across business, liberal arts, STEM, education, and more
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 Model: Pricing adjusted based on local economic factors in 100+ countries [1]
What This Means:
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.
Model: $342 per credit for undergraduates, $659 per credit for graduates—same for all students [3]
What This Means:
Philosophy: Standard pricing with financial aid available to eligible students.
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.
Programs:
Specializations:
Philosophy: Do a few things exceptionally well. Focus on what working professionals need most: business and technology skills.
Programs: Over 200 online degree programs across:
Philosophy: Comprehensive university serving diverse educational needs.
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.
Let's address this directly, because it's often the first question.
Learn more about Nexford's accreditation.
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.
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.
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.
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?
If Nexford sounds like the right fit for your goals, here's how to take the next step:
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.
nexford.edu:
snhu.edu:
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.