Best New Hampshire Colleges & Universities

Best New Hampshire Colleges: Rankings

Although Dartmouth College is the state's most recognized university, the depth of quality universities and colleges expands well beyond the Ivy League. The state is home to public and private post-secondary institutions that offer regionally and nationally recognized academic programs. Prospective students can use the rankings below to gauge the quality of individual schools. To compile this year's rankings, we reviewed and calculated a series of factors, including student-teacher ratios, tuition, graduation rates, and financial aid availability.

Methodology +

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in New Hampshire
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 5 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in New Hampshire
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 10 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• 6-year graduation rate
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	NHTI – Concord’s Community College	98.69	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 1%		20%	N/A	6	N/A	Yes	Yes
2	River Valley Community College	98.01	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 5%		24%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
3	Nashua Community College	92.49	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A		17%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
4	Lakes Region Community College	91.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A		28%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
5	Great Bay Community College	88.31	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 15%		10%	N/A	0	N/A	No	Yes
6	Manchester Community College	86.16	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A		17%	N/A	2	N/A	No	Yes
7	White Mountains Community College	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A		49%	N/A	3	N/A	No	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Dartmouth College	99.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 47%		96%	12%	0	N/A	Yes	No
2	Saint Anselm College	98.41	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 95%		74%	76%	0	N/A	Yes	No
3	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus	95.06	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 64%		78%	80%	2	N/A	Yes	No
4	Keene State College	94.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 75%		62%	79%	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
5	University of New Hampshire at Manchester	93.33	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 76%		62%	70%	0	N/A	Yes	No
6	Rivier University	93.26	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%		51%	63%	3	N/A	Yes	Yes
7	Franklin Pierce University	92.33	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%		50%	84%	12	N/A	Yes	Yes
8	Southern New Hampshire University	91.71	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 71%		59%	84%	62	N/A	Yes	Yes
9	Plymouth State University	91.55	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 69%		55%	75%	7	N/A	Yes	No
10	Granite State College	87.96	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A		50%	N/A	38	N/A	Yes	Yes
11	Colby-Sawyer College	87.56	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%		56%	91%	4	N/A	No	No
12	New England College	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$ $	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 78%		43%	96%	30	N/A	Yes	Yes

Search & Compare Colleges in New Hampshire

Even though it is one of the country's smallest states, New Hampshire offers one of the most diverse higher education systems. To reach their academic and professional goals, students can select from small, liberal arts-focused colleges to large, public universities. Students interested in colleges in New Hampshire can use the search tool below to learn about and compare different schools, based on location, acceptance rate, enrollment and annual tuition.

Cost of College in New Hampshire

Pursuing a college degree is an investment in a student's future. Before making a decision, prospective students should learn about how much it costs to attend colleges in New Hampshire and the amount of financial aid available. The charts below compare average tuition rates and financial aid in New Hampshire to national averages.

Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire

When reviewing colleges in New Hampshire, students should look at the total cost of attendance. This includes tuition and financial aid. We have compiled a list of the most affordable colleges in New Hampshire based on financial aid packages and the total cost of attendance.

• 1
  
  Granite State College$14,515
• 2
  
  University of New Hampshire at Manchester$18,338
• 3
  
  Thomas More College of Liberal Arts$18,882

• 4
  
  Plymouth State University$19,689
• 5
  
  Keene State College$20,768
• 6
  
  Colby-Sawyer College$22,644

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

New Hampshire College Net Price vs. National Average

$23,507

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

New Hampshire Colleges with Highest-Paid Alumni

The most recent data from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard reveals that graduates from colleges in New Hampshire earn competitive salaries that represent a solid return on their tuition investment. Learn more about how New Hampshire colleges rank for alumni earning power and how they stack up against national averages.

• 1
  
  Dartmouth College$67,100
• 2
  
  Saint Anselm College$55,300
• 3
  
  University of New Hampshire (All campuses)$47,300

• 4
  
  Rivier University$42,800
• 5
  
  Southern New Hampshire University$41,800
• 6
  
  Keene State College$39,900

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

New Hampshire Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$43,000

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Colleges in New Hampshire With Least Alumni Debt

Attending college in New Hampshire can be expensive and the state has some of the highest student debt rates in the country. College affordability is a central point of concern for prospective students and we've created a ranking of New Hampshire colleges that graduate students with the lowest student debt.

• 1
  
  Dartmouth College$11,625
• 2
  
  Granite State College$17,665
• 3
  
  Southern New Hampshire University$22,500

• 4
  
  Antioch University-New England$25,329
• 5
  
  Keene State College$26,000
• 6
  
  University of New Hampshire at Manchester$27,000

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

New Hampshire College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$24,722

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

New Hampshire Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

When planning for college, students need to look beyond tuition and consider other expenses, such as rent, groceries and utilities. The average cost of living in New Hampshire annually exceeds the national average, which means students need to consider where they plan to live in addition to where they want to go to school. Use the tables below to learn more about how much it costs to live in metropolitan areas in New Hampshire and how the state's cost of living compares nationally.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for New Hampshire Colleges

Accreditation is a major indicator of an institution's overall commitment to delivering a quality education to students. New England Association of Schools and Colleges manages the regional, institution-level accreditation in New Hampshire. Attending an accredited school is significant for students that may want to transfer credits to another school or attend graduate school in the future. If students attend a non-accredited institution, their credits may not transfer and they may not be eligible for graduate school admission. Academically, individual degree programs also undergo a review process by accrediting bodies. Below are two examples of program-based accreditation.

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Accredits the programs for the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire.
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Accredits undergraduate and graduate business programs for Southern New Hampshire University.

Popular College Cities in New Hampshire

Concord

The state's capital, Concord is a smaller city with approximately 43,000 residents. Yet, it has a strong higher education presence. Students can select from public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities. In addition, students may also attend professional training programs in physical therapy (Franklin Pierce University), as well as law -- University of New Hampshire (the state's only school of law). Concord embraces education, evidenced by nearly 45 percent of the population age 25 and older holding a college degree. Graduates can pursue career opportunities in several major industries, including transportation and healthcare.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
NHTI - Concord's Community College	Public	$16,954	$32,100
Founded in 1965, NHTI is a two-year public community college that has a student body of approximately 4,600 students taking day, evening, weekend and noncredit classes. The college offers 90 academic degree programs, including 41 associate, 47 certificate and two professional certificate areas of study. Professional certificate majors include dental assisting and diagnostic medical sonography. The school is home to more than 400 faculty members (110 full-time and 300 adjunct), five academic buildings and a 16,000-square foot student center.
Granite State College	Public	$14,515	$37,700
One of four institutions in the University System of New Hampshire, Granite State College is a public university that was founded in 1972. It has an articulation agreement with the Community College System of New Hampshire and offers six associate degree programs, 27 undergraduate degree programs and seven master's degree programs of study. Additionally, the college has a range of online degree programs for students seeking learning flexibility.

Manchester

As the largest city in the state, Manchester has grown to more than 110,000 residents, according to New Hampshire Employment Security. The city itself is an educational hub. Nearly 87 percent of residents have graduated from high school and 26.4 percent of the population over the age of 25 has earned a bachelor's degree or higher. Serving the area are four career technology centers, community colleges and four-year public universities. These colleges produce graduates ready to work in the area's major industries, including banking, healthcare, communications and engineering.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Saint Anselm College	Private not-for-profit	$29,704	$55,300
A Benedictine liberal arts college, Saint Anselm College was founded in 1889. It is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association. Approximately 2,000 students attend classes across the college's 45 majors and 42 minors. In addition, it offers pre-professional programs in medicine, theology, engineering, law and dentistry.
Manchester Community College	Public	$14,315	$33,300
Manchester Community College has an enrollment of 3,200 students with nearly 1,000 students enrolled in online programs. The college offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs. Its major programs of study include liberal arts, business and automotive and construction technologies. Nearly 40 percent of the students are under the age of 25 and 77 percent of classes have 19 or fewer students.
Southern New Hampshire University	Private not-for-profit	$28,889	$41,800
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit university with an enrollment of 3,000 on-campus students and over 60,000 online students. Its 300-acre campus in Manchester complements its status as a major online education university. There are more than 200 areas of study in the school's online arm. Both on-campus and online, students can select from degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, graduate and certificate levels.

Source: College Scorecard

New Hampshire College Resources

There are numerous resources for students preparing to attend college in New Hampshire. The following resources can help students along each step of the college-planning process.