Degree Dividend
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Best colleges in New Hampshire, ranked by ROI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

We rank all 20 New Hampshire institutions we profile by payback years — total net cost divided by earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The state's median net price is $18,614/yr (above the $16,902 national median), and its graduates earn a median $50,750 ten years out (above the $43,549 national median). University of New Hampshire at Manchester leads, clearing its cost in 2.2 years. (Scorecard, 2026.)

$18,614
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$50,750
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.3 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
20
Colleges ranked
degreedividend.com
New Hampshire colleges by payback (best first)
#CollegeNet price/yrEarnings 10yPayback
1University of New Hampshire at Manchester$9,992$66,4792.2 yrs
2Dartmouth College$29,519$97,4342.4 yrs
3University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online$10,864$66,4792.4 yrs
4University of New Hampshire-Main Campus$23,805$66,4795.3 yrs
5Saint Anselm College$34,779$73,3715.6 yrs
6Plymouth State University$19,216$57,3048.6 yrs
7Lakes Region Community College$13,124$51,1829.3 yrs
8Keene State College$17,887$54,36811.9 yrs
9Franklin Pierce University$27,154$53,35321.8 yrs
10Rivier University$28,082$52,24828.9 yrs
11Manchester Community College$14,143$49,06340.2 yrs
12NHTI-Concord's Community College$18,011$48,94361.8 yrs
13Southern New Hampshire University$36,708$50,31875 yrs
14Nashua Community College$23,154$46,164no payback
15River Valley Community College$14,804$44,700no payback
16Colby-Sawyer College$27,431$46,474no payback
17Great Bay Community College$15,768$42,397no payback
18New England College$26,972$42,092no payback
19White Mountains Community College$15,474$35,037no payback
20Empire Beauty School-Hooksett$10,549$33,546no payback

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · ranking and payback are our math. Payback uses institution-wide earnings; a specific major can rank very differently.

Colleges in New Hampshire: frequently asked questions

Which college has the best ROI in New Hampshire?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester. It charges $9,992/yr after aid and its graduates earn a median $66,479 ten years out, clearing the cost in about 2.2 years — the fastest payback of the 20 New Hampshire colleges we track.
How much does college cost in New Hampshire?
The median net price across New Hampshire colleges is $18,614/yr after grants and scholarships — above the $16,902 national median. That is the actual price the typical aided student pays, not the published sticker.
What do New Hampshire college graduates earn?
A median $50,750 ten years after entry (Scorecard), above the $43,549 national median. Earnings vary widely by school and major — see each college's profile for its own figure.
How many New Hampshire colleges pay for themselves?
13 of the 20 New Hampshire colleges we track clear their cost on institution-wide earnings above the high-school baseline. The rest need a high-ROI major to pay off — the school average alone does not.