Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire
- 16
- Schools
- $52,808
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,994
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,857
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 16 schools run from $42,092 to $73,371, a 1.7× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online delivers the most for the money: roughly $66,479 in median earnings against $10,864 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 College of Professional Studies Online ($10,864 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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Saint Anselm College graduates 82% of its students, versus a 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Nashua Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.24× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Franklin Pierce University ($53,353 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Saint Anselm College ($73,371), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online costs $10,864 a year and Southern New Hampshire University costs $36,708. Yet their graduates earn $66,479 and $50,318, nowhere near the $25,844 price gap.
- On value, University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online beats Saint Anselm College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
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 College of Professional Studies Online and Saint Anselm 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
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $51K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 Franklin Pierce University #1 overall | $53,353 ▲ +1% vs avg | $27,154 | 50% | 78 |
| 2 Saint Anselm College #2 overall | $73,371 ▲ +39% vs avg | $34,779 | 82% | 77 |
| 3 Colby-Sawyer College #3 overall | $46,474 ▼ -12% vs avg | $27,431 | 60% | 76 |
| $44,700 ▼ -15% vs avg | $14,804 | 27% | 72 | |
| $51,182 ▼ -3% vs avg | $13,124 | 44% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire
This analysis ranks 16 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,808 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $21,994.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online — Net Price: $10,864 | Graduation Rate: 22%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Saint Anselm College — 82% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Saint Anselm College — Median alumni earnings: $73,371
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$50,750
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$21,185
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
The median graduation rate across these 16 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $50,750 ten years after enrollment, roughly $2,750 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $21,185 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,875. Some 28% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.0%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Franklin Pierce University leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $50,750 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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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
Franklin Pierce University lands at #1 with a 78/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Saint Anselm College lands at #2 with a 77/100 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, 39% 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 #3
Colby-Sawyer College lands at #3 with a 76/100 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, 12% 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 #4
River Valley Community College lands at #4 with a 72/100 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, 15% 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 #5
Lakes Region Community College lands at #5 with a 72/100 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, 3% 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 #6
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #6 with a 69/100 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, 5% 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 #7
Keene State College lands at #7 with a 68/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Rivier University lands at #8 with a 67/100 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, 1% 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
Why it ranks #9
NHTI-Concord's Community College lands at #9 with a 64/100 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, 7% 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
Manchester, NH · $10,864 net
Why it ranks #10
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #10 with a 63/100 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, 26% 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 #11
Nashua Community College lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 13% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 26% 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 #13
Manchester Community College lands at #13 with a 60/100 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, 7% 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 #14
New England College lands at #14 with a 60/100 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, 20% 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 #15
Plymouth State University lands at #15 with a 59/100 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, 9% 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 #16
Great Bay Community College lands at #16 with a 59/100 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, 20% 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 16 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →When considering a nursing education in New Hampshire, prospective students have several noteworthy options. Nursing programs in the state are designed to equip graduates with the skills needed for a demanding, yet rewarding, healthcare career. For many, a key figure to keep in mind is the average earnings for nursing graduates in New Hampshire, which stands at $52,808.
The strongest nursing colleges in this list stand out primarily through their graduation rates, earnings potential, and overall student debt. These factors are crucial, as they offer insight into how well a program prepares its students for the workforce and the financial implications of their education. As you review the rankings below, think about how these outcomes align with your personal goals and financial situation.
For instance, Saint Anselm College in Manchester boasts an impressive graduation rate of 82% and average earnings of $73,371, indicating strong program effectiveness. In contrast, NHTI-Concord's Community College has a much lower graduation rate of 30% with earnings of $48,943. This contrast highlights the importance of choosing a program that not only fits your aspirations but also offers the support needed to successfully complete your degree.
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 10 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 Franklin Pierce University (1.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.1% 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 18.5% across this list. Saint Anselm College posts the highest success rate at 41.6%. 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 1.51 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Saint Anselm College reaches 1.80, 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
One noticeable pattern in the data reveals that Saint Anselm College outperforms NHTI-Concord's Community College significantly. While Saint Anselm has a graduation rate of 82% and average earnings of $73,371, NHTI's figures fall behind with just 30% graduation and earnings of $48,943. This disparity illustrates how a program's support and curriculum can directly impact student success and post-graduation outcomes.
After reviewing the list, consider what aspects matter most to you. Reflect on your preferences regarding location, campus culture, and program fit. Evaluate how the financial implications, such as net price and debt, align with your long-term career goals. These factors will help you prioritize which schools to focus on in your decision-making process.
The journey from nursing school to a stable career can be a critical turning point for many families. A nursing degree can lead to financial independence and job security, but it's essential to choose a program that prepares you effectively. In making this choice, families can better support their students in achieving not just a degree, but a successful transition into a fulfilling career in healthcare.
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 Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire ranking? +
Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $53,353 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% 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? +
Saint Anselm College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $73,371 ten years after enrollment, well above the $52,808 average across the 16 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 College of Professional Studies Online leads: graduates earn a median $66,479 against net price of about $10,864 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? +
Saint Anselm College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 82%, compared with a 46% 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 $21,994 a year across the 16 ranked schools with cost data. University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online is among the most affordable at roughly $10,864. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing 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 16 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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