New Hampshire is renowned for its top-ranked K-12 education system and prestigious institutions, including Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school. The state's colleges and universities provide diverse degree programs, with Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire offering a wide variety of options. While not all programs are available at every institution, New Hampshire offers an excellent selection of higher education opportunities, making it a great choice for students seeking quality education. Explore the best colleges in New Hampshire and find the right fit for your academic and career goals.
New Hampshire is home to approximately 10 private institutions, including prestigious schools like Dartmouth College, New England College, Franklin Pierce University, and Colby-Sawyer College. The state also offers fewer than 10 community colleges and around five public four-year universities. While New Hampshire's public colleges tend to be more expensive and have lower graduation rates than many other state schools, the private institutions provide a range of high-quality academic programs. Explore the best colleges in New Hampshire to find the right fit for your educational and career goals.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in New Hampshire
Regardless of the state in which you live, degrees are important for your career advancement and your salary. While only a small percentage of the population earns a doctoral degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can lead to well-paying positions and significant career opportunities. The difference between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree is nearly $25,000 a year. If you choose a four-year public college or university, you can relatively easily pay back any financial aid debt in a reasonable amount of time. If you complete a master’s degree, you will earn roughly $15,000 more each year making your life even less financially stressful. Do not forget to be mindful of your student debt to earning potential ratio.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Top 5 Best Associate Degree Programs in New Hampshire
White Mountains Community College
Score: 91.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,050
- Out-of-State:$15,300
- Net Price: $13,173
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 508
- Undergrad Students: 508
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,600
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
River Valley Community College
Score: 77.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,940
- Out-of-State:$15,190
- Net Price: $15,909
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 674
- Undergrad Students: 674
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,800
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Nashua Community College
Score: 75.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,140
- Out-of-State:$15,390
- Net Price: $13,561
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 1,262
- Undergrad Students: 1,262
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,800
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Manchester Community College-New Hampshire
Score: 74.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,090
- Out-of-State:$15,340
- Net Price: $14,458
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 2,012
- Undergrad Students: 2,012
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,300
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
NHTI-Concord's Community College
Score: 72.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State:$15,450
- Net Price: $16,221
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 2,613
- Undergrad Students: 2,613
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,800
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Top 10 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Score: 96.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,739
- Out-of-State:$65,739
- Net Price: $17,322
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
- Total Enrollment: 6,746
- Undergrad Students: 4,447
- Graduate Students: 2,299
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Score: 71.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,820
- Out-of-State:$35,530
- Net Price: $13,097
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 748
- Undergrad Students: 522
- Graduate Students: 226
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Saint Anselm College
Score: 70.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,810
- Out-of-State:$46,810
- Net Price: $35,091
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 2,078
- Undergrad Students: 2,052
- Graduate Students: 26
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of New Hampshire
Score: 70.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,112
- Out-of-State:$38,882
- Net Price: $24,762
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 13,626
- Undergrad Students: 11,376
- Graduate Students: 2,250
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rivier University
Score: 68.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,791
- Out-of-State:$37,791
- Net Price: $28,227
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 2,879
- Undergrad Students: 1,335
- Graduate Students: 1,544
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Colby-Sawyer College
Score: 65.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,400
- Out-of-State:$18,400
- Net Price: $26,483
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 950
- Undergrad Students: 834
- Graduate Students: 116
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Keene State College
Score: 63.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,710
- Out-of-State:$26,186
- Net Price: $20,405
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,846
- Undergrad Students: 2,718
- Graduate Students: 128
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Plymouth State University
Score: 61.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,558
- Out-of-State:$25,498
- Net Price: $20,280
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 3,839
- Undergrad Students: 3,336
- Graduate Students: 503
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 61.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State:$44,963
- Net Price: $25,557
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 1,637
- Undergrad Students: 1,058
- Graduate Students: 579
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
UNH College of Professional Studies
Score: 57.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,812
- Out-of-State:$9,372
- Net Price: $11,851
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 14%
- Total Enrollment: 1,326
- Undergrad Students: 1,100
- Graduate Students: 226
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Top 10 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Score: 96.15
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,684
- Out-of-State:$63,684
- Net Price: $17,322
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
- Total Enrollment: 6,746
- Undergrad Students: 4,447
- Graduate Students: 2,299
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of New Hampshire
Score: 69.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,170
- Out-of-State:$27,810
- Net Price: $24,762
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 13,626
- Undergrad Students: 11,376
- Graduate Students: 2,250
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rivier University
Score: 67.99
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,546
- Out-of-State:$12,546
- Net Price: $28,227
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 2,879
- Undergrad Students: 1,335
- Graduate Students: 1,544
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Colby-Sawyer College
Score: 65.01
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,830
- Out-of-State:$13,830
- Net Price: $26,483
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 950
- Undergrad Students: 834
- Graduate Students: 116
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Keene State College
Score: 62.9
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,990
- Out-of-State:$11,556
- Net Price: $20,405
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,846
- Undergrad Students: 2,718
- Graduate Students: 128
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Plymouth State University
Score: 60.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,090
- Out-of-State:$23,690
- Net Price: $20,280
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 3,839
- Undergrad Students: 3,336
- Graduate Students: 503
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 60.22
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,549
- Out-of-State:$39,549
- Net Price: $25,557
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 1,637
- Undergrad Students: 1,058
- Graduate Students: 579
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
UNH College of Professional Studies
Score: 57.33
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,044
- Out-of-State:$10,962
- Net Price: $11,851
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 14%
- Total Enrollment: 1,326
- Undergrad Students: 1,100
- Graduate Students: 226
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
New England College
Score: 51.98
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,376
- Out-of-State:$14,376
- Net Price: $30,280
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 2,856
- Undergrad Students: 986
- Graduate Students: 1,870
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Southern New Hampshire University
Score: 47.22
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,467
- Out-of-State:$19,467
- Net Price: $33,163
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 184,099
- Undergrad Students: 159,653
- Graduate Students: 24,446
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Scholarships for New Hampshire College Students
RFS
Roothbert Fund Scholarship
https://www.roothbertfund.org/scholarships
Amount: $2,000-$3,000
Deadline: February 1
The Roothbert Fund Scholarship is dedicated to men and women who are planning to earn a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Applicants must be from one of many Northeastern states, such as New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and others. To be eligible, applicants must enroll in an accredited college or university. Twenty scholarships are available to applicants who are motivated by spiritual values and individuals who demonstrate the ability to create fellowship amongst peers.
SNHU
SNHU Honors Scholarship
https://www.snhu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 15
The SNHU Honors Scholarship is dedicated to high school seniors who are accepted into the honors program at Southern New Hampshire University. Applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA and 1100 SAT score to be considered for this scholarship. Fifteen scholarships are available, and this is a renewable scholarship as long as recipients remain a part of the Bradley Three Year Honors Program or the University Honors Program.
FCFS
Fisher Cats Foundation Scholarship
https://www.milb.com/new-hampshire/community/scholar-athlete-scholarships
Amount: $2,500 (10 Awards)
Deadline: May 1
The Fisher Cats Foundation Scholarship offers 12 scholarships each year. Two will be dedicated to students from Massachusetts and 10 of the scholarships will be awarded to students from New Hampshire. All applicants must be graduating seniors with the intention to attend a local technical school or community college. Each applicant will be judged based on citizenship, athletic accomplishments, and academic performance.
DACMS
David A. Copestakes Memorial Scholarship
https://www.nhti.edu/tuition/scholarship-grants/
Amount: $750 (2 Awards)
Deadline: August 22
The David A. Copestakes Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to New Hampshire residents who plan to attend a New Hampshire community college. The community college must be a part of the Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation. Two scholarships will be awarded each year and the recipients must major in biotechnology or electronic engineering.
Top Social Services Careers and Salaries