by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranks #1 of 14 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in New Hampshire ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 14 colleges average a 47% six-year graduation rate and $60,625 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in New Hampshire, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **14** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 14 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus leads the 14 ranked colleges in New Hampshire, followed by Southern New Hampshire University (#2) and Granite State College (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in New Hampshire. This public school is set in Durham, NH. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,064. Typical student debt is $26,368.
The strong outcomes at Southern New Hampshire University earned it the #2 place in New Hampshire. Located in Manchester, NH, Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,211. Southern New Hampshire University students take on a median of $29,103 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Granite State College earned it the #3 place in New Hampshire. Granite State College is a public school based in Manchester, NH. Granite State College posts a six-year graduation rate of 23%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Median early-career earnings reach $54,169. Typical student debt is $26,770.
A rank of #4 makes Colby Sawyer College one of the top colleges in New Hampshire. Located in New London, NH, Colby Sawyer College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,125. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,655. Graduates carry a median of $26,832 in student loans.
Out of the 14 colleges in New Hampshire in this year's ranking, Rivier College landed the #5 spot. Based in Nashua, NH, Rivier College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,488. Rivier College graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,796. Rivier College students take on a median of $28,917 in debt.
Nhti Concords Community College placed #6 among the best colleges in New Hampshire. This public school is set in Concord, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Nhti Concords Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,550. Typical student debt is $18,046.
Nashua Community College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Nashua Community College is a public school based in Nashua, NH. Students from in state pay about $7,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Early-career graduates earn a median of $24,074. Nashua Community College students take on a median of $10,608 in debt.
Great Bay Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Great Bay Community College is a public school based in Portsmouth, NH. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Great Bay Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,692. Students borrow a median of $17,639 to complete a degree here.
Manchester Community College Nh ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Manchester, NH, Manchester Community College Nh is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,090, compared with $15,340 for out-of-state students.
River Valley Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. River Valley Community College is a public school based in Claremont, NH. Students from in state pay about $6,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,190. River Valley Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,859. The median student debt is $25,669.
White Mountains Community College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Berlin, NH, White Mountains Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,300 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,162. White Mountains Community College students take on a median of $18,250 in debt.
Lakes Region Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Laconia, NH, Lakes Region Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,720, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970.
New England College placed #13 among the best colleges in New Hampshire. Set in Henniker, NH, New England College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,474. New England College graduates report median early-career earnings of $68,950. The median student debt is $35,038.
St Joseph School Of Nursing came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashua, NH. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,438. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,623 early in their careers. St Joseph School Of Nursing students take on a median of $24,167 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.