Best Public Colleges in New Hampshire 2024

Badge for BEST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in New Hampshire provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Best Public Colleges in New Hampshire

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  1. University of New Hampshire
  2. Keene State College
  3. Plymouth State University
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester
  5. Granite State College
  1. University of New Hampshire
  2. Plymouth State University
  3. Keene State College
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester
  5. Granite State College
  1. Plymouth State University 98%
  2. Keene State College 90%
  3. University of New Hampshire 87%
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester 85%
  1. Plymouth State University 17 to 1
  2. University of New Hampshire 16 to 1
  3. Keene State College 15 to 1
  4. Granite State College 14 to 1
  5. University of New Hampshire at Manchester 7 to 1
  1. University of New Hampshire $15,520
  2. University of New Hampshire at Manchester $15,150
  3. Plymouth State University $11,870
  4. Keene State College $11,754
  5. Granite State College $7,536
  1. University of New Hampshire at Manchester $14,170
  2. University of New Hampshire $14,170
  3. Plymouth State University $12,109
  4. Granite State College $9,810
  5. Keene State College $9,756
  1. Granite State College
  2. University of New Hampshire at Manchester
  3. Plymouth State University
  4. Keene State College
  5. University of New Hampshire
  1. Granite State College
  2. University of New Hampshire at Manchester
  3. Keene State College
  4. Plymouth State University
  5. University of New Hampshire
  1. University of New Hampshire at Manchester 85%
  2. University of New Hampshire 87%
  3. Keene State College 90%
  4. Plymouth State University 98%
  1. University of New Hampshire at Manchester 7 to 1
  2. Granite State College 14 to 1
  3. Keene State College 15 to 1
  4. University of New Hampshire 16 to 1
  5. Plymouth State University 17 to 1
  1. Granite State College $7,536
  2. Keene State College $11,754
  3. Plymouth State University $11,870
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester $15,150
  5. University of New Hampshire $15,520
  1. Keene State College $9,756
  2. Granite State College $9,810
  3. Plymouth State University $12,109
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester $14,170
  5. University of New Hampshire $14,170

Colleges and Universities in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is also home to 21 public and private higher learning institutions, including the Ivy League school Dartmouth. Dartmouth has a 97% graduation rate, a student population of about 6,000, and a tuition rate of $55,000. Students can major in fields like English, creative writing, engineering, physics, and neuroscience. Dinesh D’Souza, Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers), and Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) are all noteworthy alumni of this school. The largest public institution, the University of New Hampshire, has its main campus in Durham.

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With a student body of almost 16,000, and a tuition rate of $18,000, UNH offers degrees in areas such as economics, biology, and social work. Those looking to earn an associate degree in fields such as early childhood education, cybersecurity networking, or aviation technology can choose from five community colleges that have tuition rates of $8,000. New Hampshire also offers three religiously affiliated colleges, ranging from $22,000 to $41,000 in tuition. Southern New Hampshire University is one of the fastest-growing universities in the United States. With its open enrollment policy, over 138,000 students attend classes both online and in person.

If maple sundaes and cider donuts sound appetizing to you, New Hampshire may be a great destination for your higher education. Take the Mount Washington Cog Railway for a scenic ride up to the 6,288-foot summit, or check out Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, the state’s first settlement.

Whether you’re looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, New Hampshire has a variety of institutions to choose from. Check out the program that best fits you.


What are New Hampshire’s Colleges & Universities?

New Hampshire’s Best Overall

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 5 public universities in New Hampshire. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in New Hampshire, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in New Hampshire 2023

  1. #1

    University of New Hampshire

    Durham , NH
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of New Hampshire

    Cost of Degree: $19,112
    Expenses: $16,964
    Starting Salary: $57,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of New Hampshire known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

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  2. #2

    Keene State College

    Keene , NH
    #3 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #7 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Keene State College

    Cost of Degree: $14,710
    Expenses: $16,360
    Starting Salary: $45,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Keene State College known for?

    Keene State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Plymouth State University

    Plymouth , NH
    #3 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #4 Best Grad Schools in New Hampshire 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Plymouth State University

    Cost of Degree: $14,558
    Expenses: $16,296
    Starting Salary: $45,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Plymouth State University known for?

    Plymouth State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of New Hampshire at Manchester

    Manchester , NH
    #5 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #9 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of New Hampshire at Manchester

    Cost of Degree: $15,820
    Starting Salary: $57,700
    What is University of New Hampshire at Manchester known for?

    University of New Hampshire at Manchester’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Granite State College

    Concord , NH
    #11 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    15%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Granite State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,812
    Starting Salary: $39,300
    What is Granite State College known for?

    Granite State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Granite State College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Digital Media
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Accounting And Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Resource Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Studies- Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technology Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Fire Service Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Teacher Certification
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English Language Arts Teacher Certification
    Degree Concentrations
    • Early Childhood Education And Early Childhood Special Education
    • Elementary Education And General Special Ed
    • General Special Ed
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Math Studies Teacher Certification
    Degree Concentrations
    • Elementary Ed And General Special Ed
    • General Special Ed
    • Mathematics Middle Level
    • Mathematics Middle Level And General Special Ed
    • Mathematics Upper Level
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Studies Teacher Certification
    Degree Concentrations
    • Elementary Education And General Special Ed
    • General Special Ed
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Studies- Education And Training
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English Language Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Individualized Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Individualized Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Service Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health And Wellness
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Allied Health Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
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New Hampshire’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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. University of New Hampshire
  2. Keene State College
  3. Plymouth State University
  4. University of New Hampshire at Manchester

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

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