# Best Colleges in New Hampshire

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 18 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-hampshire

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in New Hampshire

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Dartmouth College graduates earn an average of $97,434.
- The average graduation rate among these colleges is 49%.
- Keene State College has a net price of $17,887, making it more affordable.
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester has a graduation rate of only 56%, which is below the average.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dartmouth-college) | Hanover, NH | 96% | $97,434 | $29,519 | $17,500 | 0.18x |
| 2 | [Keene State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/keene-state-college) | Keene, NH | 59% | $54,368 | $17,887 | $25,749 | 0.47x |
| 3 | [Saint Anselm College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-anselm-college) | Manchester, NH | 82% | $73,371 | $34,779 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 4 | [Franklin Pierce University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-pierce-university) | Rindge, NH | 50% | $53,353 | $27,154 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 5 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |
| 6 | [Lakes Region Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakes-region-community-college) | Laconia, NH | 44% | $51,182 | $13,124 | $18,525 | 0.36x |
| 7 | [Colby-Sawyer College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-sawyer-college) | New London, NH | 60% | $46,474 | $27,431 | $27,000 | 0.58x |
| 8 | [Nashua Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nashua-community-college) | Nashua, NH | 34% | $46,164 | $23,154 | $11,000 | 0.24x |
| 9 | [River Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/river-valley-community-college) | Claremont, NH | 27% | $44,700 | $14,804 | $16,226 | 0.36x |
| 10 | [University of New Hampshire-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-main-campus) | Durham, NH | 76% | $66,479 | $23,805 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 11 | [New England College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-england-college) | Henniker, NH | 33% | $42,092 | $26,972 | $26,000 | 0.62x |
| 12 | [University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-college-of-professional-studies-online) | Manchester, NH | 22% | $66,479 | $10,864 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 13 | [Plymouth State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/plymouth-state-university) | Plymouth, NH | 50% | $57,304 | $19,216 | $26,000 | 0.45x |
| 14 | [Rivier University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rivier-university) | Nashua, NH | 55% | $52,248 | $28,082 | $26,956 | 0.52x |
| 15 | [University of New Hampshire at Manchester](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-at-manchester) | Manchester, NH | 56% | $66,479 | $9,992 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 16 | [Manchester Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/manchester-community-college) | Manchester, NH | 39% | $49,063 | $14,143 | $15,060 | 0.31x |
| 17 | [NHTI-Concord's Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nhti-concords-community-college) | Concord, NH | 30% | $48,943 | $18,011 | $14,650 | 0.3x |
| 18 | [Great Bay Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/great-bay-community-college) | Portsmouth, NH | 32% | $42,397 | $15,768 | $13,828 | 0.33x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in New Hampshire." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-hampshire

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.