Cost of college in New Hampshire
In-state tuition at a public 4-year college in New Hampshire averages $17,004 a year, or $21,051 as a real net price after aid. Graduates earn a median $63,186 and owe about $26,523. The net price pays back in about 3.9 years.
How New Hampshire compares to the US
New Hampshire ranks #2 of 51 for public in-state tuition (#1 is the most expensive), and #8 of 51 for graduate earnings. It ranks #20 of 51 for payback, where #1 is the fastest.
| Metric | New Hampshire | US average | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition | $17,004 | $9,518 | +$7,486 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,597 | $23,652 | +$9,945 |
| Net price after aid | $21,051 | $13,788 | +$7,263 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs out | $63,186 | $56,427 | +$6,759 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,523 | $17,856 | +$8,667 |
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, 2026 release. Public 4-year institutions, aggregated to the state level and enrollment-weighted.
Does a degree in New Hampshire pay for itself?
Payback is the ROI figure this index adds: the years the college earnings premium takes to recoup the net price. A public 4-year degree in New Hampshire costs about $84,204 over four years at net price, and recoups in about 3.9 years from the roughly $21,386-a-year premium graduates earn over a high-school graduate (a $41,800 baseline). That ranks #20 of 51 states and DC for payback. See the methodology for how it is built.
Private nonprofit 4-year colleges in New Hampshire list about $19,400 in tuition and net out to about $36,273 after aid.
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in New Hampshire?
At a public 4-year college in New Hampshire, in-state tuition and fees average about $17,004 a year and out-of-state runs about $33,597. The net price after grants and scholarships, which also covers living costs, averages about $21,051. The national figures are $9,518 in-state and $13,788 net price.
What do college graduates in New Hampshire earn and owe?
Ten years after starting, students from New Hampshire's public 4-year colleges earn a median of about $63,186 a year and carry a median federal debt of about $26,523 at graduation, against a national median of $56,427 earnings and $17,856 debt.
Is college worth it in New Hampshire?
A public 4-year degree in New Hampshire costs about $84,204 over four years at net price and recoups in about 3.9 years from the roughly $21,386-a-year premium graduates earn over a high-school graduate (a $41,800 baseline). Nationally the payback is about 3.8 years.