Best Colleges in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is home to a diverse array of colleges and universities, offering students a wide range of educational opportunities. From Ivy League institutions to small liberal arts colleges and large public universities, the state has something to offer for every student. The state is known for its strong commitment to undergraduate education and its focus on providing students with hands-on learning experiences. Many of the colleges and universities in New Hampshire also have a strong commitment to research and offer students the opportunity to participate in research projects and internships.

One of the most well-known colleges in New Hampshire is Dartmouth College, a member of the Ivy League and consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines and is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Another top institution in the state is the University of New Hampshire, a public research university with a strong focus on undergraduate education. Established in 1866, the University of New Hampshire is the largest university in the state, with an enrollment of over 15,000 students. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines and is known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and the sciences.

For students looking for a smaller, more intimate educational experience, Saint Anselm College, a private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education, is a great option. Founded in 1889, the college is known for its small class sizes and close interaction between students and faculty. With a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, students receive personalized attention and the opportunity to participate in service-learning and volunteer opportunities.

Southern New Hampshire University, a private, non-profit university that offers both online and on-campus programs, is a great option for students who prefer online or hybrid learning. Founded in 1932, the university has grown to become one of the largest universities in the state, with an enrollment of over 100,000 students. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines and is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the sciences.

Keene State College is a public liberal arts college that offers undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including the arts and sciences, business, and education. Founded in 1909, the college is known for its small class sizes and close interaction between students and faculty, with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. The college also has a strong commitment to service and students have the opportunity to participate in service learning and volunteer opportunities.

Plymouth State University is another public university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on undergraduate education and a variety of programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, and more. Founded in 1871, the university is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the sciences, and it has a particular emphasis on experiential learning, which allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations.

Franklin Pierce University, Rivier University, New England College, and Granite State College are some of the other colleges and universities in New Hampshire that are worth considering. Each institution has its unique characteristics and it’s important for students to research and consider the specific programs and opportunities offered by each institution to determine which one is the best fit for them.

Best Colleges in New Hampshire

1. Dartmouth College (Hanover) – consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
2. University of New Hampshire (Durham) – a public research university with a strong focus on undergraduate education.
3. Saint Anselm College (Manchester) – a private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education.
4. Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester) – a private, non-profit university that offers both online and on-campus programs.
5. Keene State College (Keene) – a public liberal arts college with a strong focus on undergraduate education.
6. Plymouth State University (Plymouth) – a public university with a strong focus on undergraduate education and a variety of programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, and more.
7. Franklin Pierce University (Rindge) – a small, private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, and health sciences.
8. Rivier University (Nashua) – a private, Catholic university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, and nursing.
9. New England College (Henniker) – a small, private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and a variety of programs in the arts and sciences, business, and education.
10. Granite State College (Concord) – a public college that offers undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on serving the needs of working adults and non-traditional students.

Dartmouth College (Hanover)

consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines. The College is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education, and the student-faculty ratio is 8:1. The College is also known for its world-class faculty and facilities, including the Hopkins Center for the Arts, the Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business. The College is also home to a thriving research community, and students have the opportunity to participate in research projects and internships.

University of New Hampshire (Durham)

a public research university with a strong focus on undergraduate education. Established in 1866, the University of New Hampshire is the largest university in the state, with an enrollment of over 15,000 students. The University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, and it’s known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and the sciences. The University also has a strong commitment to research, and students have the opportunity to participate in research projects and internships.

Saint Anselm College (Manchester)

a private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education. Founded in 1889, Saint Anselm College is a Catholic institution that offers undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including the arts and sciences, business, and education. The College is known for its small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, which allows for close interaction between students and faculty. The College also has a strong commitment to service, and students have the opportunity to participate in service learning and volunteer opportunities.

Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester)

a private, non-profit university that offers both online and on-campus programs. Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University has grown to become one of the largest universities in the state, with an enrollment of over 100,000 students. The University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, and it’s known for its strong programs in business, education, and the sciences. The University also has a strong commitment to online education, and students have the opportunity to take classes online or in a hybrid format.

Keene State College (Keene)

a public liberal arts college with a strong focus on undergraduate education. Founded in 1909, Keene State College is a comprehensive, public institution that offers undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including the arts and sciences, business, and education. The College is known for its small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, which allows for close interaction between students and faculty. The College also has a strong commitment to service, and students have the opportunity to participate in service learning and volunteer opportunities.

Plymouth State University (Plymouth)

a public university with a strong focus on undergraduate education and a variety of programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, and more. Founded in 1871, Plymouth State University is a comprehensive, public institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines. The University is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the sciences, and it has a particular emphasis on experiential learning, which allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations.

Franklin Pierce University (Rindge)

a small, private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, and health sciences. Founded in 1962, the university has an enrollment of around 1,400 students and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. The university is known for its small class sizes and personalized attention, with many programs offering hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for internships and research. The university is also home to several centers of excellence, including the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication and the Center for Graduate and Professional Studies.

Rivier University (Nashua)

a private, Catholic university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, and nursing. Founded in 1933, Rivier University has an enrollment of around 2,500 students and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The university is known for its strong programs in nursing, business, and education, and it has a particular emphasis on service and community engagement. The university is also home to several centers of excellence, including the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Education and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

New England College (Henniker)

a small, private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and a variety of programs in the arts and sciences, business, and education. Founded in 1946, New England College has an enrollment of around 2,500 students and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. The college is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the arts and sciences, and it has a particular emphasis on service learning, internships, and study abroad opportunities. The college is also home to several centers of excellence, including the Center for Community Engagement and the Center for Global Education.

Granite State College (Concord)

a public college that offers undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on serving the needs of working adults and non-traditional students. Founded in 1972, Granite State College has an enrollment of around 6,000 students and a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. The college is known for its flexible program offerings, which include online and evening classes, and its strong programs in business, education, and healthcare. The college also has a strong commitment to adult education, and offers support services such as career counseling and academic advising.

In conclusion

New Hampshire offers a wide range of colleges and universities for students to choose from. Whether you are looking for a large public research university or a small liberal arts college, the state has something to offer for every student. From Ivy League institutions like Dartmouth College, to institutions known for their strong commitment to undergraduate education like Keene State College and Plymouth State University, students have a lot of options. The state is also known for its strong commitment to research and providing students with hands-on learning experiences through internships and research projects. It is important for students to research and consider the specific programs and opportunities offered by each institution to determine which one is the best fit for them. Ultimately, the key to finding the right college or university is to take the time to research, visit the campus and talk to current students, and consider your own interests, goals, and needs.