Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
- 12
- Schools
- $60,533
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,367
- Avg. Net Price
- $25,394
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $42,092 at the low end to $97,434 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of New Hampshire at Manchester offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $66,479 against $9,992 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, University of New Hampshire at Manchester at $9,992 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $66,479, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Dartmouth College graduates 96% of its students, well above the 57% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Dartmouth College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($9,992/yr) and Southern New Hampshire University ($36,708/yr) produce graduates earning $66,479 and $50,318 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $26,716 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of New Hampshire at Manchester outperforms Dartmouth College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Dartmouth College graduates 96% of its students versus 22% at University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of New Hampshire at Manchester and Dartmouth College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $57K 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 ▲ +61% vs avg | $29,519 | 96% | 78 |
| 2 Keene State College #2 overall | $54,368 ▼ -10% vs avg | $17,887 | 59% | 63 |
| 3 Saint Anselm College #3 overall | $73,371 ▲ +21% vs avg | $34,779 | 82% | 62 |
| $53,353 ▼ -12% vs avg | $27,154 | 50% | 61 | |
| $50,318 ▼ -17% vs avg | $36,708 | 44% | 60 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
This analysis ranks 12 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $60,533 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $24,367.
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
Our Analysis Found
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?
$55,836
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$27,063
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across New Hampshire serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 12 schools is 56%. Median graduate earnings reach $55,836 ten years after enrollment, roughly $7,836 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $27,063 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $26,814. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
For New Hampshire, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $27,063 and graduates earning a median of $55,836, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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 78/100 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, 61% 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 63/100 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, 10% 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 62/100 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, 21% 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 61/100 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, 12% 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 60/100 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, 17% 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
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus lands at #6 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, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,805 a year. 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 #7
Colby-Sawyer College lands at #7 with a 59/100 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, 23% 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
Manchester, NH · 81% accepted · $9,992 net
Why it ranks #8
University of New Hampshire at Manchester lands at #8 with a 55/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Manchester, NH · $10,864 net
Why it ranks #9
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #9 with a 55/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Plymouth State University lands at #10 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, 5% below 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 #11
New England College lands at #11 with a 52/100 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, 30% 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
Why it ranks #12
Rivier University lands at #12 with a 52/100 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, 14% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 12 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
In New Hampshire, a select group of master's programs stands out for their strong graduate outcomes. These schools not only prepare students academically but also position them for financial success after graduation. Consider that the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $60,533, a figure that speaks volumes about the potential return on investment for students.
The top programs differentiate themselves through key metrics such as earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. For instance, Dartmouth College leads the pack with impressive graduate earnings of $97,434 and a graduation rate of 96%. Understanding these numbers can help prospective students assess which program aligns best with their career goals and financial situations.
Take Dartmouth College and Keene State College as examples. While Dartmouth graduates earn $97,434, Keene State graduates earn $54,368. The tradeoff is significant: Dartmouth has a much higher graduation rate at 96% compared to Keene State's 59%. This contrast illustrates the range of outcomes students can expect, making it crucial to weigh these factors carefully as you explore your options.
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 7 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.1%. Southern New Hampshire University leads the group at 1.4%, with Dartmouth College (1.4%) and Franklin Pierce University (1.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Franklin Pierce University leads at 7.8%, 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 27.8% 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 1.74 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
Looking closely at the data reveals a striking difference between Dartmouth College and University of New Hampshire-Main Campus. While both schools provide solid educational foundations, Dartmouth's graduates see earnings of $97,434 compared to $66,479 for those from UNH, showcasing the financial benefits of choosing a program with a higher graduation rate and post-graduation success.
For students navigating these options, it's essential to consider more than just the numbers. Think about location, program fit, and campus culture alongside financial outcomes. If you prioritize a strong network and high post-graduation earnings, schools like Dartmouth may be worth the investment. Conversely, if affordability is your main concern, institutions like the University of New Hampshire at Manchester could be appealing despite lower earnings.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on these choices. For one family, selecting a program based on the right combination of factors could mean the difference between financial stability and ongoing debt. The decision is personal, but informed choices based on data can illuminate the way forward.
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 Master's Programs in New Hampshire: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire ranking? +
Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $60,533 average across the 12 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 57% 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 $24,367 a year across the 12 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 Master's Programs 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 12 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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