Reporting tool — not an official determination. This tool reflects DOE rulemaking data and modeled estimates. The public file is grouped at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level; the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs, so similar-looking majors may be classified differently across colleges. Use as a reporting lead, not a regulatory finding.
States › New Hampshire › Concord, NH › Southern New Hampshire University › Social Sciences › Political Science and Government.

Political Science and Government.

Southern New Hampshire University · Manchester, NH · CIP 4510 · Bachelor
Passes DOE model
This grouping passes the DOE earnings model in the public rulemaking data.
⚠ Data caution
This record reflects a 4-digit CIP grouping (4510) used in DOE's public modeling file. Actual enforcement under the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. The specific programs inside this grouping depend on institution-assigned CIP coding and may not map neatly to how Southern New Hampshire University markets its majors.

Earnings data

Median earnings (yr 4 after completion)
$62,387
n=45
DOE earnings benchmark
$34,808
$27,579 above benchmark
Benchmark type
National HS Median

Program context

Enrollment & completion

Program enrollment
1271 (2024–25)
1047 (2023–24)
Completers
121 (2024–25)
101 (2023–24)
Non-completion rate
19.9%
225 non-completers (2022–23)
Completers with earnings data
45
used in DOE earnings test

Debt & financial aid

Median federal debt at graduation
$21,750
n=38
Loan recipients
762 (2024–25)
432 (2023–24)
Total loan volume
$3,908,986 (2024–25)
$2,393,451 (2023–24)
Pell recipients
708 (2024–25)
582 (2023–24)

Student demographics (2018–19 enrollment)

Women
28.8%
Black / African American
17.8%
Hispanic
2.7%
White
58.9%
Enrollment and financial aid data are from the PPD:2026 source files. Demographics reflect 2018–19 program enrollees. Privacy-suppressed values are not shown.

Story angle tags

rural

Reporting prompts

Methodology

What PPD:2026 is: The Department of Education's Program Performance Data file, released as part of the 2026 rulemaking. It models program outcomes at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level.

Why modeled exposure is not a final result: These are modeled estimates from a single cohort snapshot. They cannot account for future appeals, teach-outs, institutional changes, or student behavior changes.

The 4-digit vs. 6-digit gap: The public file uses 4-digit CIP codes. The actual proposed rule would use 6-digit codes. About 83% of 4-digit CIPs contain only one 6-digit CIP, but the rest may contain many.

Institution-assigned CIP codes: Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs. Similar majors at different colleges can be classified under different CIP codes, especially for interdisciplinary or area-studies programs.

Earnings measurement: Earnings are measured roughly four years after program completion, which may undercount lifetime earnings in fields with slower early-career income growth.

Benchmarks: Undergraduate programs are benchmarked against working adults aged 25–34 with only a high school diploma. Graduate programs use a more complex bachelor's-degree benchmark.

Plain-language summary (copy for notes)

DOE's public rulemaking file suggests the broad program grouping Political Science and Government. (CIP 4510, Bachelor) at Southern New Hampshire University carries a Passes DOE model designation under the proposed earnings-accountability rule. This grouping is defined at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level, while the actual proposal would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. This should be treated as a reporting lead rather than a definitive regulatory finding.