Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in New Hampshire
- 18
- Schools
- $56,047
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,745
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,890
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 18 schools run from $42,092 to $97,434, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of New Hampshire at Manchester delivers the most for the money: roughly $66,479 in median earnings against $9,992 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($9,992 net price), still posts $66,479 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Dartmouth College graduates 96% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Dartmouth College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.18× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester costs $9,992 a year and Southern New Hampshire University costs $36,708. Yet their graduates earn $66,479 and $50,318, nowhere near the $26,716 price gap.
- On value, University of New Hampshire at Manchester beats Dartmouth College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Dartmouth College finishes 96% of students while University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online finishes 22%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of New Hampshire at Manchester and Dartmouth College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $52K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dartmouth College #1 overall | $97,434 ▲ +74% vs avg | $29,519 | 96% | 79 |
| 2 Keene State College #2 overall | $54,368 ▼ -3% vs avg | $17,887 | 59% | 65 |
| 3 Saint Anselm College #3 overall | $73,371 ▲ +31% vs avg | $34,779 | 82% | 65 |
| $53,353 ▼ -5% vs avg | $27,154 | 50% | 64 | |
| $50,318 ▼ -10% vs avg | $36,708 | 44% | 64 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in New Hampshire
This analysis ranks 18 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,047 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $21,745.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of New Hampshire at Manchester — Net Price: $9,992 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Dartmouth College — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Dartmouth College — Median alumni earnings: $97,434
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
New Hampshire Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in New Hampshire?
$51,715
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$21,185
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across New Hampshire, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Start with the medians across these 18 schools. Graduates earn a median of $51,715 ten years after enrollment, or about $3,715 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 47%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $21,185 a year with about $25,875 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 27% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.0%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for New Hampshire pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $21,185 and median earnings of $51,715 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Dartmouth College lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 74% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Keene State College lands at #2 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $54,368 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,887 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Saint Anselm College lands at #3 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $73,371 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,779 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Franklin Pierce University lands at #4 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $53,353 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,154 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #5 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $50,318 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,708 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Lakes Region Community College lands at #6 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $51,182 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,124 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Colby-Sawyer College lands at #7 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $46,474 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,431 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Nashua Community College lands at #8 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $46,164 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,154 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
River Valley Community College lands at #9 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $44,700 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,804 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus lands at #10 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $66,479 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,805 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
New England College lands at #11 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $42,092 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,972 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Manchester, NH · $10,864 net
Why it ranks #12
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #12 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $66,479 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Plymouth State University lands at #13 with a 54/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $57,304 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,216 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Rivier University lands at #14 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $52,248 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,082 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Manchester, NH · 81% accepted · $9,992 net
Why it ranks #15
University of New Hampshire at Manchester lands at #15 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $66,479 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,992 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Manchester Community College lands at #16 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (44/100). Graduates earn a median $49,063 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,143 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
NHTI-Concord's Community College lands at #17 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $48,943 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,011 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Great Bay Community College lands at #18 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,397 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,768 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 18 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
New Hampshire is home to a diverse range of colleges, each offering unique opportunities. With 18 institutions to choose from, students and families are faced with the task of finding the right fit based on various factors like earnings potential and graduation rates. It's essential to understand how these schools stack up against each other to make an informed decision.
The best colleges in this list stand out due to their strong outcomes. Metrics such as average earnings, graduation rates, net price, and student debt are crucial indicators of a school's effectiveness in preparing students for life after graduation. For example, Dartmouth College leads with impressive earnings of $97,434 and a graduation rate of 96%, while other colleges may have lower earnings but also lower debt levels, showcasing different trade-offs.
Take Dartmouth College and Keene State College, for instance. Dartmouth graduates earn an average of $97,434, compared to Keene State's $54,368. However, Keene State has a lower net price at $17,887, which could appeal to budget-conscious students. As you explore the list below, keep these contrasts in mind to find a college that aligns with your priorities and financial situation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 11 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1%. Nashua Community College leads the group at 1.6%, with Southern New Hampshire University (1.4%) and Dartmouth College (1.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. River Valley Community College leads at 9.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 21.4% across this list. Dartmouth College posts the highest success rate at 49.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.54 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Dartmouth College reaches 1.83, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
While examining the data, a notable difference emerges between Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus. Dartmouth's graduation rate of 96% and earnings of $97,434 significantly outshine the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, which boasts a graduation rate of 76% and the same earnings of $66,479. This pattern highlights how a school's resources and support systems can lead to better post-graduation outcomes.
After reviewing the rankings, consider what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing a strong earnings potential or a lower debt burden? Look into the campus culture, location, and specific programs offered. Each college has a unique feel and set of opportunities, so make sure to weigh these aspects against the data you see here.
Ultimately, these numbers reflect a broader reality about the transition from college to a stable life. A family's choice of college can shape not only financial outcomes but also career trajectories. As you decide, remember that the right fit can set the foundation for a successful future, and making an informed choice is crucial.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in New Hampshire: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking? +
Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $97,434 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Dartmouth College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $97,434 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,047 average across the 18 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of New Hampshire at Manchester leads: graduates earn a median $66,479 against net price of about $9,992 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Dartmouth College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $21,745 a year across the 18 ranked schools with cost data. University of New Hampshire at Manchester is among the most affordable at roughly $9,992. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 18 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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