Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2026

New Hampshire offers quality higher education through 12 qualifying institutions, with both elite private colleges and accessible public universities leading the rankings. The top 5 schools blend Dartmouth's Ivy League academics with UNH's strong research programs and community colleges focused on career preparation. Leading institutions stand out through high graduation rates, strong alumni networks, and programs aligned with regional industries like technology and healthcare. When comparing New Hampshire schools, students should evaluate academic fit, financial aid packages, campus size preferences, and career services. The state's compact geography allows students to benefit from connections across institutions while enjoying access to both rural campuses and urban opportunities in nearby Boston.

Schools Ranked

$53,965

Avg. Earnings

50.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 21 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire	96.0%	$97,434	6.4%	$65,739
2	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, New Hampshire	76.4%	$66,479	87.0%	$19,112
3	University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, New Hampshire	65.1%	$66,479	85.3%	$15,820
4	White Mountains Community College Berlin, New Hampshire	60.0%	$35,037		$7,050
5	Lakes Region Community College Laconia, New Hampshire	42.9%	$51,182		$6,720
6	Saint Anselm College Manchester, New Hampshire	83.2%	$73,371	82.3%	$46,810
7	Thomas More College of Liberal Arts Merrimack, New Hampshire	61.5%	$53,565		$29,300
8	Manchester Community College Manchester, New Hampshire	36.8%	$49,063		$7,090
9	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, New Hampshire	14.3%	$66,479		$7,812
10	NHTI-Concord's Community College Concord, New Hampshire	30.8%	$48,943		$7,200
11	Keene State College Keene, New Hampshire	58.4%	$54,368	89.5%	$14,710
12	Colby-Sawyer College New London, New Hampshire	61.6%	$46,474	78.0%	$18,400
13	Nashua Community College Nashua, New Hampshire	30.2%	$46,164		$7,140
14	River Valley Community College Claremont, New Hampshire	31.4%	$44,700		$6,940
15	Great Bay Community College Portsmouth, New Hampshire	29.6%	$42,397		$7,200
16	Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire	47.4%	$57,304	97.6%	$14,558
17	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire	44.9%	$50,318	96.4%	$16,450
18	Rivier University Nashua, New Hampshire	58.7%	$52,248	84.5%	$37,791
19	Magdalen College Warner, New Hampshire	53.3%	$35,809	98.0%	$23,600
20	Franklin Pierce University Rindge, New Hampshire	46.1%	$53,353	92.7%	$44,963
21	New England College Henniker, New Hampshire	31.1%	$42,092	99.9%	$41,578