Best Colleges in New Hampshire

New Hampshire College Guide – What You Need to Know

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New Hampshire is consistently known to have one of the top pre-K through grade 12 school systems in the country, and it is home to the private Ivy League school, Dartmouth College. The remaining colleges and universities vary in quality and accessibility. You will find most degrees and majors available from at least one college or university in the state. All majors and degrees may not be available at all New Hampshire higher learning institutions; however, they will be available in at least a few. Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire have a wide variety of options.

This small state is home to roughly 10 private higher learning institutions, such as New England College, Franklin Pierce University, Dartmouth College, and Colby-Sawyer College. It is also home to fewer than 10 community colleges at which many people specialize in trade skills or transition to four-year colleges and universities, and it is home to around five public, four-year colleges and universities. These public colleges and universities are typically far more expensive than most public state schools in the US, and many have relatively low graduation rates.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is similar to the rest of the country pertaining to the most popular degrees and the shifts of degree interests. Most public colleges and universities have a high interest in engineering, psychology, and health degrees. These degrees are representative of growth careers and growth industries projected in the state by 2026. Some of the other higher learning institutions have a higher number of students pursuing degrees in business and biological and biomedical sciences. Other popular degrees are in communications, marketing, and criminal justice.

How Much Can You Make by Having 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.

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
arizona-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in New Hampshire

The most popular degrees are highly reflective of employable industries throughout the state. Some of the biggest industries in New Hampshire are trade and transportation, education, health services, government, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. These industries are serving the state well as they experience a 2.4% unemployment rate which is significantly lower than the US average.

To maintain such a low rate, the state is working to diversify and focus on growth industries that are beneficial to the state and its residents. Growing industries are changing a bit, including healthcare, electronic components, and biomedical research and devices. New Hampshire continues to grow in tourism, and net migration remains modestly positive. This will help lead to new construction and development.

Top Biological and Biomedical Sciences Careers and Salaries

OCCUPATION NUMBER OF JOBS ANNUAL SALARY
Natural Sciences Managers 230 $81,000
Biological Technicians 580 $38,500
Biochemist and Biophysicist 90 $62,200
Microbiologist 150 $54,500
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 80 $62,500
  • Natural sciences managers supervise and direct the roles and responsibilities of biologists, chemists, and physicists.
  • Biological technicians work in laboratories to assist scientists through setting up, operating, and maintaining equipment and instruments.
  • Biochemists study and analyze the chemical process in living organisms and research the direct effect food and drugs have on human biological processes.
  • Microbiologists study microscopic organisms that might lead to environmental damage or that cause disease, such as algae, fungi, and bacteria
  • Wildlife biologists primarily study animals in their natural or unnatural habitats. They might study plants, too.

Best New Hampshire Schools for Biological and Biomedical Sciences

  • Dartmouth
  • University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • University of New Hampshire, Manchester

Top Business Careers and Salaries

OCCUPATION NUMBER OF JOBS ANNUAL SALARY
Accountants and Auditors 5,670 $57,400
Human Resource Specialist 2,520 $51,500
Logisticians 850 $66,700
Food Service Managers 1,130 $46,700
Financial Managers 3,890 $92,600
  • Auditors are authorized and trained to examine the accuracy and legitimacy of business records so that they are in compliance with all laws and regulations.
  • Human resource specialists work to find the right fit for each position. They may work for one company, work for themselves, or work for a recruitment firm.
  • Logisticians are responsible for getting the right products to the right place at the right time in the right quantities.
  • Food service managers oversee the operations of food-related businesses, such as restaurants and alternative dining locations.
  • Financial managers are responsible for the oversight of all financial transactions, strategies, investments, and reports for a company.

Best New Hampshire Schools for Business

  • University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • Keene State College
  • Plymouth State University

Top Engineering Careers and Salaries

OCCUPATION NUMBER OF JOBS ANNUAL SALARY
Electronics Engineering 500 $79,000
Electrical Engineering 1,890 $76,500
Mechanical Engineering 2,660 $71,500
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians 770 $56,500
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 140 $49,500
  • Electronics engineers can specialize in a number of areas, such as control engineering, instrumentation, signal processing, and telecommunications.
  • Electrical engineering is responsible for electrical components, such as microchips and power station generators.
  • Mechanical engineers design devices and parts used in manufacturing.
  • Electrical and electronics engineering technicians assist with the design, development, and testing of devices and equipment.
  • Electronics drafters create schematics and diagrams used to install, manufacture, and repair electronic devices and components.

Best New Hampshire Schools for Engineering

  • Dartmouth College
  • University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Saint Anselm College

Top Health Professions Careers and Salaries

OCCUPATION NUMBER OF JOBS ANNUAL SALARY
Physical Therapy Assistants 330 $50,400
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers 40,290 -
Registered Nurses 14,320 $65,500
Physician Assistants 670 $97,900
Dietitians and Nutritionists 330 $51,300
  • Physical therapy assistants help patients in their physical therapy and other medical issues whilst under supervision.
  • Healthcare practitioners work either independently or with a group of practitioners in nearly any medical field.
  • Registered nurses are one of the fastest growing and most in-demand professions in the US.
  • Physician assistants help doctors diagnose and treat diseases and illnesses, relieving them from some of the more mundane but necessary tasks such as paperwork, renewing prescriptions, and others.
  • Dietitians and nutritionists work with patients to help resolve health conditions with food rather than or in addition to medication.

Best New Hampshire Schools for Health Professions

  • Keene State College
  • University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • Plymouth State University

Top Psychology Careers and Salaries

OCCUPATION NUMBER OF JOBS ANNUAL SALARY
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors 1,790 $40,000
Marriage and Family Therapists 40 $58,100
Psychiatrists 60 $212,900
Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists 490 $56,000
Psychiatric Aides 370 $24,000
  • Substance abuse counselors work with addicts and those with addiction tendencies to overcome their substance abuse dependencies.
  • Marriage and family therapists are considered mental health professionals who assist marriages and families through the practice of psychotherapy.
  • Psychiatrists have a doctoral degree and help people with physical and mental health issues.
  • Clinical psychologists treat psychological issues, including behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders.
  • Psychiatric aides help patients who are emotionally and mentally impaired and are supervised by nursing and medical professionals.

Best New Hampshire Schools for Psychology

  • Granite State College
  • Keene State College
  • Plymouth State University
Want to See All the New Hampshire Occupational Wage Averages

The top occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in New Hampshire

The primary New Hampshire industries are unlikely to change too much over the next five to ten years. The tourism industry continues to grow as more people are looking for new winter holiday destinations. Biotechnology and medical research continue to be an important growth industry. The same is true of smart manufacturing and high technology, also known as advanced manufacturing, for producing sophisticated electronic components. And healthcare and hospitality continue to employ a large percentage of residents. Below are the projected fastest growing careers in New Hampshire through 2026.

Growth Occupation Projected growth
Physical Therapist Assistants 24.6%
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 22.4%
Web Developers 14.9%
Dental Hygienists 14.7%
Paralegals and Legal Assistants 13.8%
Registered Nurses 13.8%
Preschool Teachers 9.6%
Electronic and Electrical Engineering Technicians 6.3%

Best Associate Degrees in New Hampshire

Best Associate Degrees in New Hampshire
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A two-year degree is a great place to start for someone who isn’t sure of their career path. While a person is getting an associate degree, they have the chance to explore different areas of study in the hopes of finding the right degree for them. And often at a fraction of the cost of pursuing a four-year degree. Whether you know your path or you’re still searching, you can get an associate degree from some of the best colleges in the state.

White Mountains Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
697		 Graduation Rate
49%		 Net Price
$13,703
Lakes Region Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
700		 Graduation Rate
41%		 Net Price
$15,409
Manchester Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
2,565		 Graduation Rate
34%		 Net Price
$13,109
Nashua Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,516		 Graduation Rate
32%		 Net Price
$11,946
River Valley Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
759		 Graduation Rate
32%		 Net Price
$17,366
NHTI-Concord's Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,256		 Graduation Rate
25%		 Net Price
$18,585
Great Bay Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,695		 Graduation Rate
23%		 Net Price
$15,396
St Joseph School of Nursing
College Type
2-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
107		 Graduation Rate
NA		 Net Price
NA

Best Bachelor's Degrees in New Hampshire

Best Bachelor's Degrees in New Hampshire
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Getting a bachelor’s degree and starting a rewarding career is a dream many share. Whether a person wants to work in healthcare, business, or another area, there are degrees and programs that will help them achieve that goal. If you are ready to start a four-year degree program, attending a school in New Hampshire is a great place to start.

Dartmouth College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
6,606		 Graduation Rate
95%		 Net Price
$23,869
Magdalen College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
83		 Graduation Rate
94%		 Net Price
$12,153
Saint Anselm College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,033		 Graduation Rate
78%		 Net Price
$34,164
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
14,788		 Graduation Rate
76%		 Net Price
$24,056
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
88		 Graduation Rate
64%		 Net Price
$17,389
Keene State College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,502		 Graduation Rate
63%		 Net Price
$19,805
Colby-Sawyer College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
855		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$28,601
Plymouth State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,648		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$19,675
Franklin Pierce University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,114		 Graduation Rate
49%		 Net Price
$27,876
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
753		 Graduation Rate
48%		 Net Price
$12,608
Full Ranking Report

Best Master's Degrees in New Hampshire

Best Master's Degrees in New Hampshire
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Pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree is a big step. It requires dedication and a lot of work. But for many, the end result is worth the work and expense. If you want to position yourself as an expert in your field or you want to pursue teaching at the collegiate level, getting an advanced degree like a masters, doctorate or an MBA in New Hampshire is a good idea. New Hampshire has several schools that can help you attain your goals.

Dartmouth College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,147		 Graduation Rate
95%		 Net Price
$23,869
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,550		 Graduation Rate
76%		 Net Price
$24,056
Keene State College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
124		 Graduation Rate
63%		 Net Price
$19,805
Colby-Sawyer College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$28,601
Plymouth State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
846		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$19,675
Franklin Pierce University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
514		 Graduation Rate
49%		 Net Price
$27,876
Rivier University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
894		 Graduation Rate
46%		 Net Price
$25,068
Southern New Hampshire University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
20,612		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$39,743
New England College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,669		 Graduation Rate
29%		 Net Price
$29,369
Granite State College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
276		 Graduation Rate
19%		 Net Price
$11,392
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Best Online Degree Colleges in New Hampshire (Distance Learning Only)

The days of online programs being a ‘lesser’ option are over. Now, many colleges and universities offer online options for many of their programs. If you’ve considered going back to school, but the brick and mortar system doesn’t fit into your busy lifestyle, online programs from some of New Hampshire’s best colleges and universities could be a viable option for you.

Colorado Technical University
College Type
4-year, Private for-profit		 Student Population
27,232		 Graduation Rate
26%		 Net Price
$16,260
Purdue
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
38,138		 Graduation Rate
27%		 Net Price
NA
Southern New Hampshire University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
113,514		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$39,743
Western Governors University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
136,139		 Graduation Rate
21%		 Net Price
$7,785
Capella University
College Type
4-year, Private for-profit		 Student Population
37,859		 Graduation Rate
NA		 Net Price
$17,368
Walden University
College Type
4-year, Private for-profit		 Student Population
48,420		 Graduation Rate
33%		 Net Price
NA

Cost of New Hampshire College Education & Salaries

New Hampshire is an expensive state in which to receive a higher education. Even the four-year public schools cost roughly the same as out-of-state tuition in many states. If you do choose a college or university in New Hampshire and you must take out financial aid, it is important that you understand the amount of debt with which you will graduate.

The majority of college and university students in the US require financial aid to some extent. It is imperative that you consider the amount of money you might earn throughout your career to be able to pay back your debt. If you plan to be an elementary school teacher and pay over $30,000 a year for your tuition, you are not going to have much money to use as disposable income and you might struggle financially.

In-state tuition is often far less expensive than out-of-state tuition for public colleges and universities. Keep in mind that in-state tuition in New Hampshire is far more expensive than most other states; however, out-of-state tuition is less than the national average. Remember that private colleges and universities charge the same for in-state and out-of-state tuition. Housing might be more expensive on campus or off campus. Each town or city will be different. You should also try to cook for yourself whenever possible, as it’s less expensive and better for your health.

College Cost Analysis - New Hampshire vs. National

Average New Hampshire Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public School

In-State Tuition - $13,967

National – $9,970

Out-of-State – $23,841

National – $25,620

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

New Hampshire is the state with the 6th highest rate of financial aid recipients. Given that even the public schools are often twice as much as four-year public schools in most states, this is quite logical. Roughly 72% of all applicants are approved for some sort of financial aid.

Financial Aid New Hampshire Nationally
Received Federal Grants 29% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $11,259 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private non-profit schools only.

Best Scholarships for New Hampshire

SOVP

Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans Program

https://www.education.nh.gov/news/7-nh-students-earn-college-board-scholarships
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Varies
The Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans Program is dedicated to the children of veterans who died in a war. This could be nearly any war; however, the veteran must have been a resident of New Hampshire at the time of their death. These children are also eligible for free tuition to colleges, universities, and community colleges as long as they are a resident of New Hampshire. This scholarship will be awarded to two individuals, and it is to be used toward books, supplies, rent, and similar expenditures.

RFS_logo

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_logo

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_logo

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_logo

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.

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