Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University shows consistent revenue growth and healthy financial surpluses.
EIN: 20274509 · Manchester, NH · NTEE: B500 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.7B |
| Total Expenses | $1.3B |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $1.2B |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Southern New Hampshire University Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Southern New Hampshire University directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (EIN: 20274509) is a nonprofit organization based in Manchester, NH, classified under NTEE code B500. The organization reported total revenue of $1.7B and total assets of $1.8B according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Southern New Hampshire University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Southern New Hampshire University is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 58 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 21.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.4B |
| Total Expenses | $1.3B |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$109.0M |
| Total Assets | $1.6B |
| Total Liabilities | $440.6M |
| Net Assets | $1.2B |
| Operating Margin | 8.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 27.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 15.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Southern New Hampshire University reported a surplus of $109.0M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 15.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 27.1% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), Southern New Hampshire University's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +5.9% | +7.8% | +9.4% |
| 2022 | +18.6% | +23.3% | +5.3% |
| 2021 | +9.5% | +8.8% | +25.8% |
| 2020 | +9.1% | +13.6% | +12.2% |
| 2019 | +13.3% | +14.0% | +22.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1968 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Southern New Hampshire University with a Mission Score of 88 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Southern New Hampshire University allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $109.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 27.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently reports 0% for Officer Compensation across all filing periods, which is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. This suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories or that the summary data does not capture the full picture of compensation for key personnel, warranting a review of the full IRS 990 forms.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Southern New Hampshire University's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusual 0% officer compensation reported in summary data, requiring further investigation into full 990 forms.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Southern New Hampshire University:
- Consistent and substantial revenue growth, from $352.5M in 201406 to $1.37B in 202306.
- Healthy financial surpluses, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses (e.g., $109M surplus in 202306).
- Strong asset base, growing to $1.62B in 202306, indicating robust financial health.
- Positive net assets, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities across all periods.
- Demonstrated ability to scale operations and maintain financial stability over a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern New Hampshire University
Is Southern New Hampshire University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern New Hampshire University (EIN: 20274509) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Southern New Hampshire University spend its money?
Southern New Hampshire University directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Southern New Hampshire University tax-deductible?
Southern New Hampshire University is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20274509). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Southern New Hampshire University's spending goes to programs?
Southern New Hampshire University directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Southern New Hampshire University compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Southern New Hampshire University is above average for NTEE category B500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Southern New Hampshire University located?
Southern New Hampshire University is headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20274509. It is classified under NTEE code B500.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Southern New Hampshire University have?
Southern New Hampshire University has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $1.7B in total revenue.
Is Southern New Hampshire University a good charity?
Based on its financial health, consistent growth, and significant revenue surplus, SNHU appears to be a well-managed and financially stable organization. Its substantial assets and consistent revenue growth suggest a strong capacity to fulfill its educational mission.
How has SNHU's revenue grown over time?
SNHU has experienced remarkable revenue growth, increasing from $352.5 million in 201406 to $1.37 billion in 202306, demonstrating a consistent upward trend over the past decade.
What is SNHU's financial stability?
SNHU exhibits strong financial stability, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities (e.g., $1.62 billion in assets vs. $440.6 million in liabilities in 202306) and a healthy surplus of revenue over expenses in every reported period.
Why is officer compensation reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% for Officer Compensation in the summary data is unusual for an organization of SNHU's scale. This could indicate that compensation for key executives is reported under different expense categories or that the summary data provided does not include this detail, necessitating a review of the full 990 forms for clarity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Southern New Hampshire University showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Southern New Hampshire University's revenue has grown by 724.5%, moving from $166.3M to $1.4B. Total assets increased by 597.7% over the same period, from $233.2M to $1.6B. Total functional expenses rose by 707.6%, from $156.3M to $1.3B. In its most recent filing year (2023), Southern New Hampshire University reported a surplus of $109.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $440.6M in liabilities against $1.6B in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 27.1%), resulting in net assets of $1.2B.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.4B | $1.3B | $1.6B | $440.6M | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.3B | $1.2B | $1.5B | $420.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.1B | $949.3M | $1.4B | $427.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $997.1M | $872.5M | $1.1B | $366.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $914.1M | $767.8M | $1.0B | $365.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $806.7M | $673.7M | $817.8M | $332.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $690.2M | $594.9M | $644.9M | $288.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $581.4M | $525.8M | $549.6M | $288.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $507.6M | $436.0M | $398.9M | $187.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $352.5M | $316.2M | $328.2M | $176.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $235.1M | $207.1M | $264.5M | $157.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $166.3M | $156.3M | $233.2M | $155.9M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.4B, expenses of $1.3B, and assets of $1.6B (revenue +5.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.3B, expenses of $1.2B, and assets of $1.5B (revenue +18.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.1B, expenses of $949.3M, and assets of $1.4B (revenue +9.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $997.1M, expenses of $872.5M, and assets of $1.1B (revenue +9.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $914.1M, expenses of $767.8M, and assets of $1.0B (revenue +13.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $806.7M, expenses of $673.7M, and assets of $817.8M (revenue +16.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $690.2M, expenses of $594.9M, and assets of $644.9M (revenue +18.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $581.4M, expenses of $525.8M, and assets of $549.6M (revenue +14.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $507.6M, expenses of $436.0M, and assets of $398.9M (revenue +44.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $352.5M, expenses of $316.2M, and assets of $328.2M (revenue +49.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $235.1M, expenses of $207.1M, and assets of $264.5M (revenue +41.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $166.3M, expenses of $156.3M, and assets of $233.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Southern New Hampshire University:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Southern New Hampshire University is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.