Best test-optional colleges in New Hampshire
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in New Hampshire11 schools
11 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in New Hampshire.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 96% graduate
- 2
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH · Private nonprofitTop 11% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 80% graduate
- 3
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH · PublicTop 13% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 76% graduate
- 4
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Manchester, NH · PublicTop 15% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 50% graduate
- 5
- 6
Franklin Pierce University
Rindge, NH · Private nonprofit#7 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 54% graduate
- 7
Colby-Sawyer College
New London, NH · Private nonprofit#8 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 57% graduate
- 8
Rivier University
Nashua, NH · Private nonprofit#9 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 9
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH · Public#10 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 10
New England College
Henniker, NH · Private nonprofit#12 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 35% graduate
- 11
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Private nonprofit#13 in New Hampshire
- SAT or ACT not required
- 43% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College | $29,519 | $17,500 | $97,434 | 96% |
| Saint Anselm College | $34,779 | $27,000 | $73,371 | 80% |
| University of New Hampshire | $23,805 | $26,814 | $66,479 | 76% |
| University of New Hampshire at Manchester | $9,992 | $26,814 | $66,479 | 50% |
| Keene State College | $17,887 | $25,749 | $54,368 | 60% |
| Franklin Pierce University | $27,154 | $27,000 | $53,353 | 54% |
| Colby-Sawyer College | $27,431 | $27,000 | $46,474 | 57% |
| Rivier University | $28,082 | $26,956 | $52,248 | 52% |
| Plymouth State University | $19,216 | $26,000 | $57,304 | 52% |
| New England College | $26,972 | $26,000 | $42,092 | 35% |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $36,708 | $21,082 | $50,318 | 43% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34