Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

Badge for BEST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in New Hampshire.

Key Takeaways

  • With smaller class sizes, the best private colleges in New Hampshire offer individualized support and mentorship from faculty, enhancing the learning experience.
  • The colleges in our ranking foster tight-knit communities with diverse extracurricular activities, promoting student engagement and personal growth.
  • Many of the best private colleges in New Hampshire provide rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty, fostering a challenging and enriching educational environment.

Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire

Sort by:
  1. Dartmouth College
  2. Southern New Hampshire University
  3. Saint Anselm College
  4. New England College
  5. Franklin Pierce University
  6. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
  7. Rivier University
  8. Colby–Sawyer College
  1. Dartmouth College
  2. Southern New Hampshire University
  3. Saint Anselm College
  4. New England College
  5. Franklin Pierce University
  6. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
  7. Rivier University
  8. Colby–Sawyer College
  1. New England College 100%
  2. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  3. Franklin Pierce University 93%
  4. Rivier University 84%
  5. Saint Anselm College 82%
  6. Colby–Sawyer College 78%
  7. Dartmouth College 6%
  1. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  2. Rivier University 15 to 1
  3. Franklin Pierce University 12 to 1
  4. Saint Anselm College 11 to 1
  5. Colby–Sawyer College 10 to 1
  6. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 9 to 1
  7. New England College 7 to 1
  8. Dartmouth College 7 to 1
  1. Dartmouth College $62,658
  2. Colby–Sawyer College $47,164
  3. Saint Anselm College $45,340
  4. Franklin Pierce University $43,155
  5. New England College $41,518
  6. Rivier University $36,610
  7. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts $28,000
  8. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  1. Dartmouth College $60,687
  2. Franklin Pierce University $37,200
  3. Saint Anselm College $25,000
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  5. Colby–Sawyer College $13,800
  6. New England College $13,678
  7. Rivier University $11,080
  1. Colby–Sawyer College
  2. Rivier University
  3. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
  4. Franklin Pierce University
  5. New England College
  6. Saint Anselm College
  7. Southern New Hampshire University
  8. Dartmouth College
  1. Colby–Sawyer College
  2. Rivier University
  3. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
  4. Franklin Pierce University
  5. New England College
  6. Saint Anselm College
  7. Southern New Hampshire University
  8. Dartmouth College
  1. Dartmouth College 6%
  2. Colby–Sawyer College 78%
  3. Saint Anselm College 82%
  4. Rivier University 84%
  5. Franklin Pierce University 93%
  6. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  7. New England College 100%
  1. New England College 7 to 1
  2. Dartmouth College 7 to 1
  3. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 9 to 1
  4. Colby–Sawyer College 10 to 1
  5. Saint Anselm College 11 to 1
  6. Franklin Pierce University 12 to 1
  7. Rivier University 15 to 1
  8. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  1. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  2. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts $28,000
  3. Rivier University $36,610
  4. New England College $41,518
  5. Franklin Pierce University $43,155
  6. Saint Anselm College $45,340
  7. Colby–Sawyer College $47,164
  8. Dartmouth College $62,658
  1. Rivier University $11,080
  2. New England College $13,678
  3. Colby–Sawyer College $13,800
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  5. Saint Anselm College $25,000
  6. Franklin Pierce University $37,200
  7. Dartmouth College $60,687

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

There are no changes to our ranking of the best private colleges in New Hampshire for 2025. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 8 private universities in New Hampshire. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in New Hampshire, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire

  1. #1

    Dartmouth College

    Hanover , NH
    #18 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #20 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #21 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #24 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Dartmouth College

    Cost of Degree: $65,511
    Expenses: $22,054
    Starting Salary: $110,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Dartmouth College known for?

    Dartmouth College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #11 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $16,450
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $50,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southern New Hampshire University known for?

    Southern New Hampshire University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Southern New Hampshire University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Digital Photography
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Fashion Merchandising And Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Game Art And Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Accounting
    Degree Concentrations
    • Forensic Accounting And Fraud Examination
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Accounting Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Human Resources Management
    • International Business
    • Management Information Systems
    • Marketing
    • Nonprofit Management
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Project Management
    • Public Administration
    • Sports Management
    • Management Information Systems
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Industrial Organizational Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Data Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Finance
    Degree Concentrations
    • Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Digital Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Operations Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Logistics And Transportation
    • Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technical Management Ii
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • Data Validation And Decision Making
    • Networking And Security
    • Project Management
    • Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Data Analysis
    • Information Security
    • Project Management
    • Software Engineering
    • Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Game Programming And Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technologies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Management For It
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data Analytics
    • Project Management For It
    • Software Development
    • Business Management For It
    • Project Management For It
    • Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Information Technologies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Corrections
    • Criminology
    • Homeland Security And Counterterrorism
    • Human Services And Advocacy
    • Police Administration And Operations
    • Substance Abuse
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • New Media
    • Professional Writing
    • Business Communication
    • Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Creative Writing And English
    Degree Concentrations
    • Fiction
    • Non-Fiction
    • Poetry
    • Screenwriting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English Language And Literature
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    Degree Concentrations
    • American History
    • European History
    • Middle Eastern Studies
    • Military History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Services
    Degree Concentrations
    • Child And Family Services
    • Gerontology
    • Substance Abuse
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Community Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Community Health Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Information Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Health Information Management
    • Patient Safety And Quality
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Addictions
    • Applied Psychology
    • Child And Adolescent Development
    • Mental Health
    • Social Psychology
    • Forensic Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Environmental Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Geosciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Saint Anselm College

    Manchester , NH
    #1 Best Christian Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1205/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Anselm College

    Cost of Degree: $46,810
    Expenses: $21,080
    Starting Salary: $63,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Anselm College known for?

    Saint Anselm College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    New England College

    Henniker , NH
    #2 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #5 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at New England College

    Cost of Degree: $27,114
    Expenses: $20,014
    Starting Salary: $44,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is New England College known for?

    New England College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    New England College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Computer Information Systems
    • Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Homeland Security And Emergency Preparedness
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Humanities
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in International Relations And Diplomacy
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Sciences
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  5. #5

    Franklin Pierce University

    Rindge , NH
    #5 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #8 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #1 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Franklin Pierce University

    Cost of Degree: $44,963
    Expenses: $19,222
    Starting Salary: $45,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Franklin Pierce University known for?

    Franklin Pierce University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Franklin Pierce University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting-Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sports And Recreation Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Integrated Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Custom
    • General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Integrated Studies- Social Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Medical Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Emergency Medical Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Rivier University

    Nashua , NH
    #3 Best Christian Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #6 Best Grad Schools in New Hampshire 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Rivier University

    Cost of Degree: $37,791
    Expenses: $18,715
    Starting Salary: $49,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rivier University known for?

    Rivier University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Colby–Sawyer College

    New London , NH
    #10 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Colby–Sawyer College

    Cost of Degree: $18,400
    Expenses: $20,308
    Starting Salary: $47,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Colby–Sawyer College known for?

    Colby–Sawyer College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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New Hampshire’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Dartmouth College
  2. Saint Anselm College
  3. Colby–Sawyer College
  4. Rivier University
  5. Southern New Hampshire University
  6. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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