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Colleges that pay for themselves fastest in New Hampshire

Colleges ranked by how many years of extra earnings, above a high school graduate’s, cover four years of net price.

Colleges that pay for themselves fastest in New Hampshire4 schools

4 schools qualify, ranked by payback years.

How this list is made

  • Schools in New Hampshire.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard), and those earnings are above a high school graduate’s ($48,360 a year: median weekly earnings of $930 for full-time workers with a high school diploma, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Payback years = four years of net price ÷ (earnings − a high school graduate’s earnings). Ordered by payback years, fewest first. A simple estimate: it leaves out interest, taxes and earnings growth.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    University of New Hampshire at Manchester

    Manchester, NH · Public

    Top 15% for low net price

    • Pays back in about 2.2 years
    • Earnings $66,479 ten years out
  2. 2

    Dartmouth College

    Hanover, NH · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    #1 in New Hampshire

    • Pays back in about 2.4 years
    • Earnings $97,434 ten years out
  3. 3

    University of New Hampshire

    Durham, NH · Public

    Top 13% for graduation

    • Pays back in about 5.3 years
    • Earnings $66,479 ten years out
  4. 4

    Saint Anselm College

    Manchester, NH · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for graduation

    • Pays back in about 5.6 years
    • Earnings $73,371 ten years out

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
University of New Hampshire at ManchesterAbout $10,000$26,814$66,47950%
Dartmouth CollegeAbout $30,000$17,500$97,43496%
University of New HampshireAbout $24,000$26,814$66,47976%
Saint Anselm CollegeAbout $35,000$27,000$73,37180%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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