2026 Best Colleges for the Money (No Aid) in New Hampshire
Looking for the best colleges for the money in New Hampshire? This list ranks 17 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 17 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
Choosing the Best School for You
After analyzing 17 schools in New Hampshire to determine which deliver the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
Our Methodology
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
Customizing Your List
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Top 25 Best Colleges for the Money in New Hampshire
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in New Hampshire. Set in Manchester, NH, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,277 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,479. Set against $26,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Granite State College one of the best values in New Hampshire. This public school is set in Manchester, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. The median program debt is $27,522. Granite State College alumni report median earnings of $66,479 a decade after entry. Set against $27,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Manchester Community College Nh one of the best values in New Hampshire. Located in Manchester, NH, Manchester Community College Nh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,063.
You'll get strong value at Nashua Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Nashua, NH, Nashua Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,140, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Students borrow a median of $10,608 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,164 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,608 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Keene State College one of the best values in New Hampshire. This public school is set in Keene, NH. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,368 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
White Mountains Community College landed the #6 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. White Mountains Community College is a public school based in Berlin, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,037. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Laconia placed #7 among the best values in New Hampshire. Located in Laconia, NH, Empire Beauty School Laconia is a private for-profit institution. Typical student debt is $9,833. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,546. Set against $9,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Hooksett ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Hooksett, NH, Empire Beauty School Hooksett is a private for-profit institution. Typical student debt is $9,833. Empire Beauty School Hooksett alumni report median earnings of $33,546 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Great Bay Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Portsmouth, NH, Great Bay Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Great Bay Community College students take on a median of $17,639 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,397. That is a strong return on a $17,639 median debt.
Plymouth State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Plymouth State University is a public school based in Plymouth, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. The median program debt is $26,972. Plymouth State University alumni report median earnings of $57,304 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lakes Region Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Laconia, NH, Lakes Region Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,720, compared with $14,970 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,182.
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #12 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. The median program debt is $18,046. Nhti Concords Community College alumni report median earnings of $48,943 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Somersworth came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Somersworth, NH, Empire Beauty School Somersworth is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans.
River Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. Based in Claremont, NH, River Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,940, while out-of-state students pay about $15,190. Students borrow a median of $25,669 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,700. That is a strong return on a $25,669 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #15 among the best values in New Hampshire. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt is $26,368. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,479. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Keene Beauty Academy came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Keene, NH. Students borrow a median of $11,966 to complete their program here.
Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Merrimack, NH, Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,400. The median program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,565. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Sawyer College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in New London, NH, Colby Sawyer College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,125. The median program debt is $26,832. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,474. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Franklin Pierce University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Rindge, NH, Franklin Pierce University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,442. Graduates carry a median of $26,937 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,353. That is a strong return on a $26,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rivier College landed the #20 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. Rivier College is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashua, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,488. Graduates carry a median of $28,917 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,248. That is a strong return on a $28,917 median debt. About 83% of those who apply are admitted.
Dartmouth College landed the #21 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Paul Mitchell The School Portsmouth placed #22 among the best values in New Hampshire. Based in Portsmouth, NH, Paul Mitchell The School Portsmouth is a private for-profit institution. The median program debt is $9,833.
New Hampshire Institute For Therapeutic Arts landed the #23 spot for value in New Hampshire this year. This private for-profit school is set in Nashua, NH.
New England College placed #24 among the best values in New Hampshire. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henniker, NH. Students from in state pay about $27,474 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,092. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. About 92% of those who apply are admitted.
Southern New Hampshire University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Manchester, NH. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,200. Students borrow a median of $29,103 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,318. That is a strong return on a $29,103 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 20% Best Value Schools in New Hampshire
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
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Notes and References
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
