Why This Matters

  • 37 COLLEGES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

    New Hampshire is home to more than three dozen colleges. They include 13 public colleges, 12 private non-profit schools, and 12 private for-profit colleges.

  • $16,960 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

    According to College Board, these numbers are based on the 2020-21 academic year.

  • $14,940 FINANCIAL AID PER U.S. STUDENT

    Many U.S. students receive thousands of dollars in financial aid for their undergraduate education. The average award amount is $14,940.

Our Research

Our rankings of New Hampshire colleges reflect cost per credit, credit hour requirements, and course delivery options (i.e., online or in-person). We also made sure to include small liberal arts schools, midsize colleges, and large universities so many students can find a school that’s well-suited for them.

To ensure the quality of all the listed schools, we only considered colleges that hold a well-known accreditation. Many of the colleges on our list are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), although some are accredited by other bodies. Attending an accredited institution helps guarantee that your credits will be transferable and your degree will be recognized by graduate programs and employers.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 73 hours to write this article
  • 73 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 101 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Colleges in New Hampshire

Best Colleges In New Hampshire
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What You Should Know About Graduating From College in New Hampshire

When choosing a New Hampshire college to attend, take into account how your college education will prepare you to enter the state’s workforce. In October 2020, the five industries that employed the most workers in New Hampshire were trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; goods-producing services; retail trade; and government.

The state’s five fastest-growing careers for workers with a bachelor’s degree are software developers, information security analysts, market research analysts and marketing specialists, athletic trainers, and therapists. Enrolling in a college degree program that’s related to one of these fields could set you up with a promising career after graduation. In some cases, you may be able to begin working in your chosen field even while completing your college program.

Many of the largest employers in New Hampshire need qualified workers in these fields and career paths. A few of the state’s 50 largest employers are Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, University System of New Hampshire, Trustees of Dartmouth College, Fidelity Investments, and J Jill Distribution Center.

What’s Next?

While researching the best colleges in New Hampshire, it’s important to take into account what financial aid options are available to you. These state and federal resources have a wealth of information about grants, scholarships, and other financial aid help that you might be able to benefit from.

  • New Hampshire Department of Education. This department has detailed information on accredited colleges within New Hampshire and how students might go about choosing an affordable one.
  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education awards over $120 billion in financial aid to U.S. students each year. To see whether you qualify for funds, check the FAFSA4caster. Then, you can apply through the online FAFSA form.
  • CareerOneStop. An effort of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop provides extensive information on state-specific grants and scholarships. Sort New Hampshire grant and scholarship opportunities by their award amounts, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines.