# Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 19 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-new-hampshire

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

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.

## Key Findings

- The University of New Hampshire at Manchester has a $9,992 net price with $66,479 average earnings.
- Lakes Region Community College has a net price of $13,124 and a graduation rate of 44%.
- Graduates from these colleges earn an average of $54,941 annually.
- The average debt for graduates across these schools is $26,814.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [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 |
| 2 | [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 |
| 3 | [Lakes Region Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakes-region-community-college) | Laconia, NH | 44% | $51,182 | $13,124 | $18,525 | 0.36x |
| 4 | [Manchester Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/manchester-community-college) | Manchester, NH | 39% | $49,063 | $14,143 | $15,060 | 0.31x |
| 5 | [River Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/river-valley-community-college) | Claremont, NH | 27% | $44,700 | $14,804 | $16,226 | 0.36x |
| 6 | [White Mountains Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/white-mountains-community-college) | Berlin, NH | 61% | $35,037 | $15,474 | $11,000 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Keene State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/keene-state-college) | Keene, NH | 59% | $54,368 | $17,887 | $25,749 | 0.47x |
| 8 | [Great Bay Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/great-bay-community-college) | Portsmouth, NH | 32% | $42,397 | $15,768 | $13,828 | 0.33x |
| 9 | [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 |
| 10 | [Plymouth State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/plymouth-state-university) | Plymouth, NH | 50% | $57,304 | $19,216 | $26,000 | 0.45x |
| 11 | [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 |
| 12 | [Nashua Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nashua-community-college) | Nashua, NH | 34% | $46,164 | $23,154 | $11,000 | 0.24x |
| 13 | [Franklin Pierce University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-pierce-university) | Rindge, NH | 50% | $53,353 | $27,154 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 14 | [New England College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-england-college) | Henniker, NH | 33% | $42,092 | $26,972 | $26,000 | 0.62x |
| 15 | [Colby-Sawyer College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-sawyer-college) | New London, NH | 60% | $46,474 | $27,431 | $27,000 | 0.58x |
| 16 | [Rivier University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rivier-university) | Nashua, NH | 55% | $52,248 | $28,082 | $26,956 | 0.52x |
| 17 | [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dartmouth-college) | Hanover, NH | 96% | $97,434 | $29,519 | $17,500 | 0.18x |
| 18 | [Saint Anselm College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-anselm-college) | Manchester, NH | 82% | $73,371 | $34,779 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 19 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.