Plymouth State University
#6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Hampshire- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,304 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,216 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Hampshire.
Every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,417,225.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 40% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Plymouth State University Matters
Plymouth State University is a public university in Plymouth, NH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,153
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Plymouth State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,216 a year after grants and scholarships — 12% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,304 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.69 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 3,100 students and an acceptance rate of 88%, Plymouth State University is an accessible option for many. This school is particularly appealing for those interested in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. It attracts a diverse student body looking for a supportive environment where they can grow academically and personally.
After graduation, students typically see an average earning of $57,304 within ten years. This figure is encouraging, especially considering the relatively affordable net price of $19,216 after aid. While the graduation rate stands at 50%, it’s important to note that many students find pathways to success, even if they take a bit longer to finish their degrees.
When it comes to the financial side, graduates leave with a median debt of $26,000. For those who are eligible, about 28% receive Pell Grants, which can help lessen the financial burden. Students who thrive here often appreciate the close-knit community and the hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for real-world challenges. The environment is conducive for those seeking both personal and professional growth, making it a solid choice for many.
Rankings
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Hampshire
- #8 Best Business Colleges in New Hampshire
- #8 Best Education Colleges in New Hampshire
- #10 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire
- #10 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
- #10 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
- #12 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
- #12 Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
Can I Get In?
How selective Plymouth State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Plymouth State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Plymouth State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 55%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,340
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.34
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 5,917
- Admitted
- 5,772
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Plymouth State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Plymouth State University is $25,566, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,216. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,676 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,626
- Out-of-State
- $25,566
- Avg Net Price
- $19,216
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,676
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,714
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,030
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,020
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Plymouth State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Plymouth State University earn a median of $57,304, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,466
- 8 Years
- $55,556
- 10 Years
- $57,304
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (357)
- 48%
- 100% (357)
- 48%
- 100% (357)
- 48%
- 100% (357)
- 48%
How Plymouth Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Plymouth State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Plymouth State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,216/year ($76,864 total). Graduates earn $57,304 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,494,089 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,417,225 (19.4× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,864
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,494,089
- Net Return
- $1,417,225
- ROI Multiple
- 19.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,216
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,336,758
- Investment Income
- $-2,022,326
Top Programs
The fields Plymouth State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 27%
- Health Professions 11%
- Education 8%
- Criminal Justice 8%
- Psychology 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Social Sciences 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Plymouth State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Plymouth State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Plymouth State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Plymouth State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Plymouth State University is $25,566, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,216. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,676 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Plymouth State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Plymouth State University earn a median of $57,304, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Plymouth State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Plymouth State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Plymouth State University.
- Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT · Close peer51% grad $59,115 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · Close peer49% grad $55,933 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD · Close peer51% grad $55,493 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Plymouth State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Plymouth State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note