At $23,261/yr net price, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus graduates earn $66,479/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $32,479/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,261 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,044 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,479/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$32,479/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,814 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,393/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,981/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,283/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,182/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,767/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $85,391 | $35,610 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $81,588 | $32,458 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $21,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $75,706 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $70,112 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,897 | $26,546 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,079 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $66,653 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,890 | $20,500 |
The Risk Factor
76.4% of students at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of New Hampshire gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major. With a 76% graduation rate and 86% retention, you're likely to finish, and finishing is where the payoff starts. Median debt of about $27k sits close to typical annual earnings a decade out, which is a manageable ratio for most graduates.
The engineering programs are where the money is. Computer engineering graduates out-earn nursing graduates by nearly $14,000 a year while carrying $5,500 less debt, making it the clear best deal on campus. Computer and information sciences, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering all clear $68,000 and feed directly into New England's tech and biotech employers. Nursing pays less than the engineering tracks but comes with reliable regional demand across New Hampshire and Massachusetts hospitals.
The risk here is picking a major outside these fields. UNH's top earners are all technical, and no bachelor-level data is listed for the humanities or social science programs that make up much of a public university. If you graduate into a lower-paying field, that $27k debt load gets harder to justify against the full sticker price.
Net price is the other catch. If your family earns over $110k, you'll pay close to $28,000 a year, and out-of-state families face the steepest costs at a school where in-state pricing drives much of the value. If your family earns under $30k, your net price drops to about $15,000, which changes the math considerably in your favor.
Go to UNH if you're aiming for engineering, computer science, or nursing, especially as a New Hampshire resident. If you're set on a lower-earning field and paying the top price tier, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus worth the cost?
UNH's net price of $23,261 annually leads to median debt of $26,814, with graduates earning $66,479 after 10 years. The return is reasonable for engineering and nursing programs but weaker for liberal arts majors.
What are the best paying majors at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus?
Business graduates earn $85,391 annually, while nursing ($81,588) and computer engineering ($76,460) also provide strong returns. These programs justify the cost better than UNH's lower-paying liberal arts degrees.
How much debt do University of New Hampshire-Main Campus graduates have?
UNH graduates leave with median debt of $26,814, which is manageable given the average starting salary of $66,479. The debt-to-income ratio makes loan repayment realistic for most graduates.
Does University of New Hampshire-Main Campus have good job placement?
With a 76% graduation rate and average post-graduation earnings of $66,479, UNH provides decent job prospects. The 87% acceptance rate means less selectivity, but career outcomes remain solid for technical majors.