The Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
The small-yet-mighty state of New Hampshire has many online college programs that fit diverse learners’ needs
Online colleges in New Hampshire offer first-year and returning students the opportunity to enroll in flexible, affordable distance education. Many of New Hampshire’s roughly 40 community colleges, universities, and technical schools offer online undergraduate, graduate, or certification programs. Programs that allow students to stay at home and complete courses at their own pace may appeal to today’s busy students.
New Hampshire colleges set students up for success. According to 2019 data from the New Hampshire Department of Education, 90.73% of students graduated in six years.
Online students local to New Hampshire can enjoy winter sports, beautiful foliage, and nearby access to both charming small towns and major metro areas, such as Boston.
Below, you’ll find a ranking of New Hampshire’s best online programs, plus career and salary information.
The Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Manchester, NH- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$15,150
- Out-of-state$31,660
- In-State$13,840
- Out-of-state$15,220
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled753
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Rivier University
- Nashua, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,440
- Out-of-state$32,440
- In-State$11,340
- Out-of-state$11,340
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled2,332
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Franklin Pierce University
- Rindge, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,900
- Out-of-state$35,900
- In-State$16,000
- Out-of-state$16,000
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled2,114
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment28%
- AccreditationYes
New England College
- Henniker, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,555
- Out-of-state$24,555
- In-State$14,088
- Out-of-state$14,088
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled3,527
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,756
- Out-of-state$30,756
- In-State$18,810
- Out-of-state$18,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled113,514
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
New Hampshire
2022
Online Colleges in New Hampshire Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyEmployment in New Hampshire
The top industries in New Hampshire include advanced manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. Tourists flocking to New Hampshire to enjoy autumn leaves and visit historic sites help support over 46,000 hospitality jobs in the state. The seacoast and Upper Valley — home to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center — feature major hubs for biomedical research.
Unemployment in New Hampshire has declined to near pre-pandemic levels as COVID-19-related restrictions ease. As of June 2021, unemployment stood at 2.9% — not far from 2019’s low of 2.6%.
New Hampshire ranks among the 10 most highly educated states, as 37% of state residents have earned at least a bachelor’s degree.
The cost of living in New Hampshire is somewhat above the national average, indexed at 105.4, with 100 as the average. However, New Hampshire charges no income or sales tax, meaning each paycheck stretches further. The mean annual wage in New Hampshire reached $56,730 as of May 2020, with top earners including physicians and architectural and engineering managers.
The following information explores the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in New Hampshire. Salary information applies specifically to New Hampshire, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Wage (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $241,930 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $158,100 | 3% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sales Managers | $156,460 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $149,290 | 10% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Marketing Managers | $139,860 | 7% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Industrial Production Managers | $138,600 | 1% | Bachelor’s degree |
| General and Operations Managers | $132,720 | 6% | Bachelor’s degree |
The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 2,500 professionals in New Hampshire. Salary figures apply specifically to New Hampshire, while job growth data refers to the entire United States. Each role requires a bachelor’s degree.
| Career | Annual Mean Wage (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Typical Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $75,970 | 7% | Nursing |
| Software Developers | $109,670 | 22% | Information Technology |
| Wholesale Sales Representatives | $75,900 | 2% | Depends on industry: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering |
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,050 | 4% | Accounting |
| Project Management Specialists | $81,320 | 6% | Project Management |
| Financial Managers | $132,420 | 15% | Finance |
| Management Analysts | $100,170 | 11% | Depends on industry: Business, Computer Information Systems, Mathematics |
Online Associate Degrees
An online associate degree can prepare students to start entry-level careers or pursue bachelor’s degrees. Most associate programs take two years to complete. Learners can apply transfer credits from most associate programs toward four-year bachelor’s degrees. Many programs use asynchronous delivery, allowing students to complete materials at their own pace rather than attending classes at specific times.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities expanded their online degree offerings. New Hampshire’s colleges and universities feature hundreds of unique online associate degree programs. Plus, with 16 New Hampshire colleges belonging to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, students can be rest assured that degrees earned online will receive national and international recognition.
Popular online options include business administration, accounting, and criminal justice. The state also offers niche sectors, including data analytics and digital photography. Graduates with degrees in marketing and healthcare administration can work in New Hampshire’s booming hospitality and healthcare industries.
Online Graduate Degrees
Looking to further your career and earn an advanced degree from the comfort of your home? An online graduate program might be right for you. Many of New Hampshire’s colleges offer fully online and hybrid master’s programs and doctoral degrees. Hybrid programs require occasional visits to campus for some courses or labs, while learners can complete 100% online programs from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection.
Unlike on-campus courses, faculty deliver many virtual courses asynchronously, which may offer a good fit for people seeking degrees while continuing to work. Additionally, some online programs offer reduced tuition or accelerated pathways.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutes transitioned to online learning. Today’s online learners benefit from expanded course and degree offerings. However, some degrees require in-person attendance for required labs or clinicals. Research your field’s requirements before pursuing an online degree.
Popular graduate degrees include master of business administration and human resources management degrees. Thanks to New Hampshire’s growing biomedical research and advanced manufacturing fields, individuals looking to pursue master’s degrees in data science or operation and supply chain management will find plenty of opportunities. Several schools in the state offer these programs online.
Common Questions About Studying in New Hampshire
Tuition is often the same between in-person and online programs, though some colleges don’t charge out-of-state tuition to online learners. Students may save on course materials and fees.
Most associate degrees take two years to complete, while bachelor’s degrees take four years. However, learners can complete some online undergraduate and graduate degrees at an accelerated pace.
The most popular bachelor’s degrees in New Hampshire are in the fields of science and engineering, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Business degrees are also common.
