Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire

The higher education experts at BestColleges. have reviewed top online colleges in New Hampshire. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
Danika Miller
By
Updated October 2, 2024
chevron-up
Why Trust BestColleges
  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

The New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau projects that employment in the state will increase by 6.1% from 2016-2026, adding approximately 42,000 new jobs. The state’s healthcare and social assistance sector will grow by 15.7% during that period, accounting for roughly one-third of these new positions. Hospitality and professional services jobs should also experience strong growth, while the manufacturing and production industries will likely see an overall decline in employment.

Related Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire

In 2018, the annual mean wage in New Hampshire was $52,350, according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, careers that require additional education or training often pay much more. For example, human resources managers in the state earned an average salary of $125,800 in 2018, and the average computer and information systems manager earned $147,440. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify for these roles, though a master’s degree can give you a competitive edge when applying for more senior positions.

Pursuing a postsecondary education can help you take the next step in your career. However, many working professionals and full-time caregivers find it difficult to fit schoolwork into their already busy schedules. Studying online may help you overcome this challenge — distance education programs often allow students to complete coursework at their convenience from any location with an internet connection. Online programs can also be more affordable.

The ranking below describes the five best online colleges in New Hampshire. For each of these schools, we have compiled information related to application requirements, available courses of study, and financial aid opportunities. We also indicate whether online coursework is delivered asynchronously or if online classes require live participation at set times. Finally, all of these colleges hold regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
chevron-down

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

BestColleges Top-Ranked- Badge
  • Affordability (30%)
  • Student outcomes (30%)
  • Reputation (20%)
  • Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

#1

Rivier University

Nashua, NH4 yearCampus + Online

$35,445

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$35,445

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

84%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

Rivier University's generous transfer policies help the school stand out as one of the best online colleges in New Hampshire. Incoming undergraduate students can apply up to 90 credits from another accredited institution toward a bachelor's at Riv, allowing them to finish their degree in as little as one more year. Master's programs accept up to nine transfer credits.

Riv currently offers 20 fully online and asynchronous degrees in fields such as business administration, computer information systems, nursing practice, and public health. Online students can also signal specialized expertise by earning a graduate certificate in psychiatric mental health.

First-year applicants must submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement. Graduate admission standards vary, but most programs require prospective students to have earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Riv does not require graduate applicants to take an entrance exam.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,080

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

2,551

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$35,445

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,445

Nashua, NH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$35,445

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,445

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,080

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

2,551

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Rivier University's generous transfer policies help the school stand out as one of the best online colleges in New Hampshire. Incoming undergraduate students can apply up to 90 credits from another accredited institution toward a bachelor's at Riv, allowing them to finish their degree in as little as one more year. Master's programs accept up to nine transfer credits.

Riv currently offers 20 fully online and asynchronous degrees in fields such as business administration, computer information systems, nursing practice, and public health. Online students can also signal specialized expertise by earning a graduate certificate in psychiatric mental health.

First-year applicants must submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement. Graduate admission standards vary, but most programs require prospective students to have earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Riv does not require graduate applicants to take an entrance exam.

#2

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

96%

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

At Southern New Hampshire University, students can choose from more than 200 fully online and asynchronous programs, developing the skills and knowledge needed for careers in areas like accounting and finance, criminal justice, engineering, and the social sciences. Upon graduation, students join a network of more than 75,000 alumni working around the world.

SNHU pairs each admitted student with a dedicated academic advisor who helps online learners choose a major, navigate the enrollment process, and apply for financial aid. Advisors can also connect students with additional resources, including 24/7 online tutoring, personalized career counseling, and remote writing and research assistance.

To earn an associate or bachelor's degree at the university, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. While SNHU does not set minimum academic requirements for its undergraduate programs, students may need a certain GPA to qualify for scholarships. Graduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Regardless of your degree level, entrance exams are not required at SNHU.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,900

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

164,091

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,000

Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,000

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment

97%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,900

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

164,091

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

At Southern New Hampshire University, students can choose from more than 200 fully online and asynchronous programs, developing the skills and knowledge needed for careers in areas like accounting and finance, criminal justice, engineering, and the social sciences. Upon graduation, students join a network of more than 75,000 alumni working around the world.

SNHU pairs each admitted student with a dedicated academic advisor who helps online learners choose a major, navigate the enrollment process, and apply for financial aid. Advisors can also connect students with additional resources, including 24/7 online tutoring, personalized career counseling, and remote writing and research assistance.

To earn an associate or bachelor's degree at the university, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. While SNHU does not set minimum academic requirements for its undergraduate programs, students may need a certain GPA to qualify for scholarships. Graduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Regardless of your degree level, entrance exams are not required at SNHU.

#3

Franklin Pierce University

Rindge, NH4 yearCampus + Online

$39,055

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,055

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

35%

Online Enrollment

Franklin Pierce University was founded in 1962 with the mission of creating intimate learning experiences between faculty and students. More than 50 years later, the university remains committed to personalized and attentive education, boasting a student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1.

Undergraduate students at the university can seek associate and bachelor's degrees entirely online, building a foundation of knowledge in areas like emergency medical services, healthcare administration, and human services. Franklin Pierce also hosts online and asynchronous master's tracks in business administration, education, and nursing.

To apply to an undergraduate program, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, though the university does not require ACT or SAT scores. Graduate programs at Franklin Pierce also generally do not require entrance exam scores, though you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.8. Each year, the university awards approximately $30M in scholarships and grants.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$37,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,200

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,663

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,055

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,055

Rindge, NH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,055

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,055

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

35%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$37,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,200

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,663

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Franklin Pierce University was founded in 1962 with the mission of creating intimate learning experiences between faculty and students. More than 50 years later, the university remains committed to personalized and attentive education, boasting a student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1.

Undergraduate students at the university can seek associate and bachelor's degrees entirely online, building a foundation of knowledge in areas like emergency medical services, healthcare administration, and human services. Franklin Pierce also hosts online and asynchronous master's tracks in business administration, education, and nursing.

To apply to an undergraduate program, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, though the university does not require ACT or SAT scores. Graduate programs at Franklin Pierce also generally do not require entrance exam scores, though you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.8. Each year, the university awards approximately $30M in scholarships and grants.

#4

Colby-Sawyer College

New London, NH4 yearCampus + Online

$46,364

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,364

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

78%

Acceptance Rate

12%

Online Enrollment

Colby-Sawyer College currently offers two online degree programs: an associate degree in liberal arts and a bachelor's degree completion pathway for licensed nurses. The associate program is designed for students who plan to ultimately apply their credits toward a four-year degree, while the RN-to-BSN program helps equip nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to assume supervisory and leadership roles.

To apply to the nursing program, you must already have an associate degree or diploma in nursing, along with an active and unencumbered license to practice in New Hampshire. Full-time students can earn their bachelor's in 16 months, while part-time students generally need 2-3 years to meet all of their graduation requirements. Most coursework is asynchronous, though some classes may require live participation.

To earn an online associate degree at Colby-Sawyer, you must submit high school transcripts and a writing sample. Applicants may also share ACT or SAT scores and letters of recommendation.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,800

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,800

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

943

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,364

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,364

New London, NH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,364

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,364

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

12%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,800

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,800

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

943

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Colby-Sawyer College currently offers two online degree programs: an associate degree in liberal arts and a bachelor's degree completion pathway for licensed nurses. The associate program is designed for students who plan to ultimately apply their credits toward a four-year degree, while the RN-to-BSN program helps equip nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to assume supervisory and leadership roles.

To apply to the nursing program, you must already have an associate degree or diploma in nursing, along with an active and unencumbered license to practice in New Hampshire. Full-time students can earn their bachelor's in 16 months, while part-time students generally need 2-3 years to meet all of their graduation requirements. Most coursework is asynchronous, though some classes may require live participation.

To earn an online associate degree at Colby-Sawyer, you must submit high school transcripts and a writing sample. Applicants may also share ACT or SAT scores and letters of recommendation.

#5

Granite State College

Concord, NH4 yearOnline

$7,536

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,880

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

Nearly 80% of the students at Granite State College take at least one online class, and many pursue their associate, bachelor's, or master's degree entirely from a distance. Online programs feature fully asynchronous coursework, giving busy students the flexibility they need to explore subjects like digital media, health and wellness, human resource administration, and operations management. Blended, hybrid, and accelerated programs are also available.

Regardless of their degree level, all students at the college complete an integrative capstone project that prepares them for the next stage in their careers. These projects may involve participating in an internship, remotely collaborating with a faculty member on a research project, or developing a business model for a new entrepreneurial initiative.

Applying to an undergraduate program requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, but you do not need to take the ACT or SAT. Graduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. While the college does not require the GRE or GMAT for graduate-level admission, prospective master's students must submit two references, a resume, and a personal statement.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,810

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,710

Retention Rate

40%

Students Enrolled

1,425

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,536

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,880

Concord, NH4 yearOnline

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,536

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,880

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,810

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,710

Retention Rate

40%

Students Enrolled

1,425

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Nearly 80% of the students at Granite State College take at least one online class, and many pursue their associate, bachelor's, or master's degree entirely from a distance. Online programs feature fully asynchronous coursework, giving busy students the flexibility they need to explore subjects like digital media, health and wellness, human resource administration, and operations management. Blended, hybrid, and accelerated programs are also available.

Regardless of their degree level, all students at the college complete an integrative capstone project that prepares them for the next stage in their careers. These projects may involve participating in an internship, remotely collaborating with a faculty member on a research project, or developing a business model for a new entrepreneurial initiative.

Applying to an undergraduate program requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, but you do not need to take the ACT or SAT. Graduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. While the college does not require the GRE or GMAT for graduate-level admission, prospective master's students must submit two references, a resume, and a personal statement.

Click here to see the best campus colleges in New Hampshire.

Explore More College Resources

How to Choose Your College Class Schedule

How to Choose Your College Class Schedule

Learn how to create the best class schedule each semester by considering important academic and nonacademic factors.

Steve Bailey

by Steve Bailey

Updated March 22, 2023

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Student: What’s the Difference?

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Student: What’s the Difference?

Discover the challenges and opportunities full-time vs. part-time students face and get tips on which college experience is right for you.

Marisa Upson

by Marisa Upson

Updated October 12, 2023

Summer Semester: When Does It Start? And Should You Enroll?

Summer Semester: When Does It Start? And Should You Enroll?

School’s out — or, rather, in — for summer. Discover the pros and cons of enrolling in an optional summer semester in college.

Anne Dennon

by Anne Dennon

Updated March 20, 2023