While New Hampshire is one of the smallest states, it boasts 45 post secondary schools, with over 101,500 estimated individuals enrolled in degree seeking programs in 2013. Manchester Community College alone now offers more than 250 online courses, along with fully online associate degree programs; all seven of the New Hampshire community college campuses offer fully online courses in various fields. Southern New Hampshire University has emerged as a leader in online education, enabling students to access resources and over 180 online programs.
New Hampshire also offers professional developmental courses through e-Learning for Educators and engages high school students through the Virtual Learning Academy. At the end of 2014, New Hampshire announced it would become the first New England state to join the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), an initiative working to make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines.
Due to a combination of general inflation and a dramatic drop in state spending (by 32.8%), tuition for public four-year institutions has risen 48% within a span of five years. As students continue to shoulder the majority of expenses associated with earning a degree, enrollment rates suffer; between 2006 and 2011, New Hampshire's enrollment rate increased a mere 7%. First year retention rate, however, is at a sturdy 80.8%, and the state graduation rate is 69.5%.
For more information on New Hampshire's top online degree programs, explore our extensive database. In the State Facts page you'll find financial planning resources and links to a number of scholarship and loan resources applicable to online and offline students enrolled at New Hampshire schools.
Featured Online Programs
20 Colleges in New Hampshire
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- The Unique College Investing Plan: A direct purchase 529 plan, this account requires a $50 opening investment, and $15 per month, or $45, taken quarterly by automatic withdrawal. The plan is managed by Fidelity Investments and can be purchased as an age-based plan managed for you, or as a custom plan that meets your needs. Maximum account value per student recipient is $375,000.
- New Hampshire Fidelity Advisory 529 Plan: The Fidelity Advisory 529 plan is purchased from a financial advisor. The minimum initial contribution is $50, with at least $150 added to the account each quarter. The maximum account value per student beneficiary for this account is $375,000.
Education Nonprofits
- New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC): The stated mission of NHCUC is to assist underrepresented populations afford and attend college. The site contains information on scholarships and financial aid, events and campus information. There is also a resource section for foreign students.
- New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Fund (NHHEAF): This site gives access to the NHHEAF, Granite State Management and Resources, and New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corporation. Together, these organizations assist students in the applications process, locating funding and applying for scholarships. It also includes the site 'I Am College Bound.'
- New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: This site is the largest source of scholarships in New Hampshire.
Higher Education News
- New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) Newsroom: The NHHEAF provides links to news articles and reports that guide readers through the murky waters of higher education.
- On Campus: The WGBH News Education Blog covers higher education issue in New England States, with individualized state coverage.