by our College Data Analytics TeamDartmouth College ranks #1 of 30 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 57% six-year graduation rate and $64,393 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, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **30** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 30 colleges across over 20 objective factors 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.
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Dartmouth College leads the 30 ranked colleges in New Hampshire, followed by Upper Valley Educators Institute (#2) and University Of New Hampshire Main Campus (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Dartmouth College earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in New Hampshire. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. The median student debt is $16,989.
A rank of #2 makes Upper Valley Educators Institute one of the top colleges in New Hampshire. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, NH. Upper Valley Educators Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,549. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned it the #3 place in New Hampshire. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,368.
You'll be in good company at University Of New Hampshire School Of Law, which ranked #4 this year. University Of New Hampshire School Of Law is a public school based in Concord, NH.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Anselm College one of the top colleges in New Hampshire. Located in Manchester, NH, Saint Anselm College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,920. Saint Anselm College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,228. The median student debt is $26,863.
Rivier College landed the #6 spot in New Hampshire this year. Rivier College is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashua, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,488. Rivier College graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,796. Students borrow a median of $28,917 to complete a degree here.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Manchester, NH, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a public institution. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,649. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester students take on a median of $26,393 in debt.
Keene State College did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Keene, NH. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete a degree here.
Franklin Pierce University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Rindge, NH, Franklin Pierce University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,442. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,350. The median student debt is $26,937.
Colby Sawyer College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in New London, NH, Colby Sawyer College is a private not-for-profit institution. Colby Sawyer College graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,125. Colby Sawyer College graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,655. Graduates carry a median of $26,832 in student loans.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #11 spot in New Hampshire this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Manchester, NH. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,211 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,103 to complete a degree here.
Plymouth State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Plymouth State University is a public school based in Plymouth, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Plymouth State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,487. The median student debt is $26,972.
Granite State College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Manchester, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,169. Granite State College students take on a median of $26,770 in debt.
Nhti Concords Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. 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. Nhti Concords Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,550. The median student debt is $18,046.
Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Merrimack, NH, Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. Thomas More College Of Liberal Arts posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,400. Median early-career earnings reach $33,863. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Nashua Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,074 early in their careers. The median student debt is $10,608.
Antioch University New England did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Keene, NH. Antioch University New England graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,892.
New England College landed the #18 spot in New Hampshire this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henniker, NH. About 35% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $27,474 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $68,950. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete a degree here.
Great Bay Community College landed the #19 spot in New Hampshire this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans.
Manchester Community College Nh placed #20 among the best colleges 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.
White Mountains Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. White Mountains Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,162. White Mountains Community College students take on a median of $18,250 in debt.
River Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #22 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,859 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,669.
Lakes Region Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. 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.
St Joseph School Of Nursing placed #24 among the best colleges in New Hampshire. Based in Nashua, NH, St Joseph School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,438. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,623 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,167.
Harmony Health Care Institute ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Merrimack, NH. Early-career graduates earn a median of $85,953. Graduates carry a median of $12,685 in student loans.
These 5 colleges rank #26 through #30 of 30 in New Hampshire. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.