Dartmouth College vs University of New Hampshire at Manchester: which has better ROI?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $39,968 in 2.2 years versus 2.4 years at Dartmouth College, on median earnings of $66,479 vs $97,434 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dartmouth College | University of New Hampshire at Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,519 | $9,992 |
| Total net cost | $118,076 | $39,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $97,434 | $66,479 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $26,814 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $863,404 | $322,412 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dartmouth College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester, at $9,992 a year after aid versus $29,519 — a gap of $19,527 a year, or $78,108 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dartmouth College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates report a median $97,434 ten years after entry, $30,955 more than the $66,479 at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Dartmouth College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester?
Dartmouth College: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $26,814 at University of New Hampshire at Manchester, a difference of $9,314. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Dartmouth College, against 50% at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.