Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
- 14
- Schools
- $58,211
- Avg. Earnings
- 53%
- Avg. Graduation
- $23,667
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,540
- 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 53% 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 $54K 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 ▲ +67% vs avg | $29,519 | 96% | 74 |
| 2 Southern New Hampshire University #2 overall | $50,318 ▼ -14% vs avg | $36,708 | 44% | 63 |
| 3 Keene State College #3 overall | $54,368 ▼ -7% vs avg | $17,887 | 59% | 62 |
| $46,164 ▼ -21% vs avg | $23,154 | 34% | 62 | |
| $73,371 ▲ +26% vs avg | $34,779 | 82% | 61 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $58,211 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 53% and an average net price of $23,667.
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.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$53,861
Median earnings (10yr)
52%
Median graduation rate
$25,389
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
The median graduation rate across these 14 schools is 52%. Median graduate earnings reach $53,861 ten years after enrollment, roughly $5,861 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $25,389 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $26,407. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.2%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $53,861 and a net price of about $25,389 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
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 74/100 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, 67% 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
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #2 with a 63/100 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, 14% 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 #3
Keene State College lands at #3 with a 62/100 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, 7% 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 #4
Nashua Community College lands at #4 with a 62/100 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, 21% 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 #5
Saint Anselm College lands at #5 with a 61/100 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, 26% 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 #6
Franklin Pierce University lands at #6 with a 59/100 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, 8% 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 #7
Colby-Sawyer College lands at #7 with a 58/100 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, 20% 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
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus lands at #8 with a 55/100 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, 14% 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
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, 14% 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
Great Bay Community College lands at #10 with a 53/100 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, 27% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
New England College lands at #11 with a 53/100 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, 28% 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
Plymouth State University lands at #12 with a 50/100 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% 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
Manchester, NH · 81% accepted · $9,992 net
Why it ranks #13
University of New Hampshire at Manchester lands at #13 with a 50/100 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, 14% 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 #14
Rivier University lands at #14 with a 48/100 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, 10% 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 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When it comes to choosing a psychology program in New Hampshire, families have 14 schools to consider. Each offers unique strengths, but they all share a commitment to developing skills that can lead to impactful careers in mental health and related fields.
The schools on this list are ranked based on key outcomes: post-graduation earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and program concentration. These factors matter because they provide insight into how well students are prepared for their careers and how manageable their financial commitments will be after graduation.
For instance, Dartmouth College stands out with an impressive average earnings of $97,434 and a graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester shows lower earnings of $66,479 and a graduation rate of just 56%. This comparison highlights the trade-offs students might face when selecting their programs, from financial implications to potential career outcomes.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 8 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Nashua Community College leads the group at 1.6%, with Southern New Hampshire University (1.4%) and Dartmouth College (1.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Franklin Pierce University enrolls the most, at 7.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 26.9% across the list, peaking at 49.7% at Dartmouth College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Dartmouth College is highest at 1.83.
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
Examining the data reveals that Dartmouth College's robust support services and comprehensive curriculum contribute to its top-tier outcomes. With a graduation rate of 96%, its graduates not only earn significantly more but also enter the workforce with stronger credentials than those from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, which has a 56% graduation rate and lower post-grad earnings of $66,479.
After reviewing the list, it's important to align these findings with individual priorities. Consider what matters most: Is it the prestige of the program, the financial investment, or the campus culture? Weigh these factors carefully against personal circumstances and career aspirations to make a well-informed decision.
Ultimately, choosing the right psychology program can set the stage for a stable future. The differences in outcomes, like those between Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, can have lasting impacts on career trajectories and financial well-being. One family's choice today can influence their child's path for years to come.
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 Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire ranking? +
Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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 $58,211 average across the 14 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 53% 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 $23,667 a year across the 14 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 Psychology 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 14 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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