Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire
- 19
- Schools
- $54,941
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,415
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,317
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 19 schools run from $35,037 to $97,434, a 2.8× 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 50% 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
- #1 University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($66,479 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Dartmouth College ($97,434), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- 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.
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 $51K 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 University of New Hampshire at Manchester #1 overall | $66,479 ▲ +21% vs avg | $9,992 | 56% | 75 |
| $66,479 ▲ +21% vs avg | $10,864 | 22% | 70 | |
| 3 Lakes Region Community College #3 overall | $51,182 ▼ -7% vs avg | $13,124 | 44% | 68 |
| $49,063 ▼ -11% vs avg | $14,143 | 39% | 66 | |
| $44,700 ▼ -19% vs avg | $14,804 | 27% | 65 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire
This analysis ranks 19 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,941 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $21,415.
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
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$51,182
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$19,216
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
The median graduation rate across these 19 schools is 50%. Median graduate earnings reach $51,182 ten years after enrollment, roughly $3,182 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $19,216 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,749. 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: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $19,216, with graduates earning a median of $51,182 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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
Manchester, NH · 81% accepted · $9,992 net
Why it ranks #1
University of New Hampshire at Manchester lands at #1 with a 75/100 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, 21% 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 #2
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #2 with a 70/100 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, 21% 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 #3
Lakes Region Community College lands at #3 with a 68/100 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, 7% 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 #4
Manchester Community College lands at #4 with a 66/100 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, 11% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
River Valley Community College lands at #5 with a 65/100 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, 19% 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 #6
White Mountains Community College lands at #6 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $35,037 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,474 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
Keene State College lands at #7 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, 1% 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 #8
Great Bay Community College lands at #8 with a 62/100 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, 23% 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 #9
NHTI-Concord's Community College lands at #9 with a 58/100 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, 11% 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 #10
Plymouth State University lands at #10 with a 57/100 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, 4% 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 #11
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus lands at #11 with a 50/100 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, 21% 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 #12
Nashua Community College lands at #12 with a 49/100 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, 16% 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 #13
Franklin Pierce University lands at #13 with a 44/100 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, 3% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
New England College lands at #14 with a 43/100 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, 23% 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
Colby-Sawyer College lands at #15 with a 42/100 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, 15% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Rivier University lands at #16 with a 42/100 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, 5% 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 #17
Dartmouth College lands at #17 with a 40/100 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, 77% 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 #18
Saint Anselm College lands at #18 with a 29/100 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, 34% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #19 with a 25/100 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 19 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
In New Hampshire, affordability in higher education is a pressing concern for many families. With average student debt levels climbing and the financial landscape shifting, students are increasingly seeking colleges that provide a quality education without breaking the bank. Our list highlights 19 schools in the state with the lowest net prices, giving you a clear view of your options.
These institutions stand out not just for their pricing but also for their outcomes. The data reveals that graduates from these schools earn an average of $54,941 annually, with around 50% completing their degrees. This balance of affordability and potential earnings is crucial for anyone considering their college choices. As you review the list, pay attention to factors like graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings to understand what you might expect from each school.
Take, for example, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester and Lakes Region Community College. While both offer attractive net prices, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester has a higher graduation rate of 56% compared to Lakes Region's 44%. However, Lakes Region features lower debt levels at $18,525 compared to UNH Manchester's $26,814. These differences can impact a student’s financial future significantly, providing a reason to dive deeper into the specifics of each school listed below.
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 12 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 6.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. White Mountains Community College leads at 12.8%, 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 20.2% 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 1.51 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
When comparing the University of New Hampshire at Manchester with Manchester Community College, a notable difference emerges. UNH Manchester has an impressive graduation rate of 56% alongside higher average earnings of $66,479. In contrast, Manchester Community College offers a slightly higher net price of $14,143 and a lower graduation rate of 39%, making the value proposition different for potential students.
As you sift through the 19 schools listed, consider your individual priorities. Are you seeking a specific program, campus culture, or proximity to home? Weigh the net price against the potential earnings and your financial situation. A school with a higher debt load might be offset by better job prospects, so think critically about what matters most to you.
Ultimately, the path from college to stable employment is clearer for many graduates from these affordable institutions. Choosing the right college can set the foundation for financial stability and career success, impacting not just the graduate but their entire family. It's a significant decision that warrants careful consideration of all these factors.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire ranking? +
University of New Hampshire at Manchester in Manchester, NH ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $66,479 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 56% 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 $54,941 average across the 19 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 50% 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 $21,415 a year across the 19 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 Most Affordable 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 19 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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