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.
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: 83.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,050
- Out-of-State:$15,300
- Net Price: $14,426
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 523
- Undergrad Students: 523
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,600
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Manchester Community College-New Hampshire
Score: 79.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,090
- Out-of-State:$15,340
- Net Price: $13,779
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 1,976
- Undergrad Students: 1,976
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $44,700
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Nashua Community College
Score: 77.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,140
- Out-of-State:$15,390
- Net Price: $11,840
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 1,245
- Undergrad Students: 1,245
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,800
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Lakes Region Community College
Score: 74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,720
- Out-of-State:$14,970
- Net Price: $16,313
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 645
- Undergrad Students: 645
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,800
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Great Bay Community College
Score: 71.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State:$15,450
- Net Price: $15,604
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 1,415
- Undergrad Students: 1,415
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $47,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Top 10 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Score: 95.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,739
- Out-of-State:$65,739
- Net Price: $19,208
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 6,744
- Undergrad Students: 4,458
- Graduate Students: 2,286
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of New Hampshire
Score: 70.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,112
- Out-of-State:$38,882
- Net Price: $24,507
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 13,953
- Undergrad Students: 11,512
- Graduate Students: 2,441
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Saint Anselm College
Score: 70.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,810
- Out-of-State:$46,810
- Net Price: $35,080
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 1,977
- Undergrad Students: 1,959
- Graduate Students: 18
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Rivier University
Score: 67.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,791
- Out-of-State:$37,791
- Net Price: $28,983
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,551
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 1,211
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Score: 67.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,820
- Out-of-State:$35,530
- Net Price: $18,923
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 534
- Undergrad Students: 524
- Graduate Students: 10
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Colby-Sawyer College
Score: 64.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,400
- Out-of-State:$18,400
- Net Price: $28,202
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 943
- Undergrad Students: 867
- Graduate Students: 76
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Keene State College
Score: 64.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,710
- Out-of-State:$26,186
- Net Price: $19,546
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 2,872
- Undergrad Students: 2,737
- Graduate Students: 135
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 60.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State:$44,963
- Net Price: $28,434
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,663
- Undergrad Students: 1,118
- Graduate Students: 545
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Plymouth State University
Score: 60.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,558
- Out-of-State:$25,498
- Net Price: $20,321
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,872
- Undergrad Students: 3,308
- Graduate Students: 564
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
UNH College of Professional Studies
Score: 57.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,812
- Out-of-State:$9,372
- Net Price: $11,850
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 15%
- Total Enrollment: 1,425
- Undergrad Students: 1,195
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Top 10 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Score: 94.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,739
- Out-of-State:$65,739
- Net Price: $19,208
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 6,744
- Undergrad Students: 4,458
- Graduate Students: 2,286
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of New Hampshire
Score: 69.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,112
- Out-of-State:$38,882
- Net Price: $24,507
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 13,953
- Undergrad Students: 11,512
- Graduate Students: 2,441
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rivier University
Score: 65.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,791
- Out-of-State:$37,791
- Net Price: $28,983
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,551
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 1,211
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Keene State College
Score: 63.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,710
- Out-of-State:$26,186
- Net Price: $19,546
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 2,872
- Undergrad Students: 2,737
- Graduate Students: 135
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Colby-Sawyer College
Score: 62.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,400
- Out-of-State:$18,400
- Net Price: $28,202
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 943
- Undergrad Students: 867
- Graduate Students: 76
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Plymouth State University
Score: 60.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,558
- Out-of-State:$25,498
- Net Price: $20,321
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,872
- Undergrad Students: 3,308
- Graduate Students: 564
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 59.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State:$44,963
- Net Price: $28,434
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,663
- Undergrad Students: 1,118
- Graduate Students: 545
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
UNH College of Professional Studies
Score: 57.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,812
- Out-of-State:$9,372
- Net Price: $11,850
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 15%
- Total Enrollment: 1,425
- Undergrad Students: 1,195
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
New England College
Score: 52.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,578
- Out-of-State:$41,578
- Net Price: $29,512
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 2,852
- Undergrad Students: 1,043
- Graduate Students: 1,809
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Southern New Hampshire University
Score: 46.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,450
- Out-of-State:$16,450
- Net Price: $32,043
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 164,091
- Undergrad Students: 140,865
- Graduate Students: 23,226
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
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.
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