# Southern New Hampshire University

> Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, regionally accredited university based in Manchester/Hooksett, New Hampshire. Founded in 1932 as a small accounting school, it reinvented itself under president Paul LeBlanc into the largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the United States, serving more than 200,000 learners through over 200 degree and certificate programs while keeping a roughly 3,000-student traditional campus.

- **Founded:** 1932
- **Headquarters:** Manchester (Hooksett), New Hampshire, United States
- **Founders:** Harry A. B. Shapiro (Co-founder), Gertrude Crockett Shapiro (Co-founder)
- **Team size:** Approximately 16,000 employees
- **Products:** SNHU Online, SNHU On Campus, College for America / competency-based programs, Global Education Movement (GEM), Military and workforce education
- **Notable:** Largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the United States., Grew from roughly 2,800 students in 2003 to more than 200,000 learners., Offers 200+ programs from certificates to doctoral degrees.

## Products & services

- **SNHU Online** — Online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs plus certificates - over 200 programs across business, education, STEM, liberal arts, health, and social sciences.
- **SNHU On Campus** — A traditional residential campus in Manchester, NH serving roughly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with athletics and student organizations.
- **College for America / competency-based programs** — Self-paced, competency-based degree pathways designed for working adults and employer partnerships.
- **Global Education Movement (GEM)** — Tuition-free degree programs for refugees and displaced learners in multiple countries.
- **Military and workforce education** — Programs, tuition assistance and transfer-credit pathways tailored to military servicemembers, veterans, and employer partners.

## Achievements

- Largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the United States.
- Grew from roughly 2,800 students in 2003 to more than 200,000 learners.
- Offers 200+ programs from certificates to doctoral degrees.
- Regionally accredited (NECHE) nonprofit institution.
- Recognized repeatedly for innovation in higher education under Paul LeBlanc.

## Latest updates

- **2024-07** — Lisa Marsh Ryerson became SNHU's 6th president, succeeding Paul LeBlanc.
- **2023-12** — Paul LeBlanc announced he would step down after two decades transforming SNHU into the largest U.S. nonprofit online university.
- **2024-01** — SNHU Board extended President Ryerson's contract through 2030.
- **2022-08** — SNHU rolled out a refreshed logo and brand identity.

## Links

- Website: https://snhu.edu
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/school/snhu
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/SNHU
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SNHUonline
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snhu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snhu
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snhu

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Last updated: 2026-06-12