New Hampshire Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
New Hampshire College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across New Hampshire institutions.
Top New Hampshire Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire | Public 4-yr | $18,989 | $37,330 | 11,800 |
| Plymouth State University | Public 4-yr | $15,650 | $24,340 | 3,400 |
| Keene State College | Public 4-yr | $15,740 | $24,860 | 2,900 |
| Granite State College | Public 4-yr | $8,955 | $10,305 | 1,700 |
| Dartmouth College | Private | $65,511 | $65,511 | 4,500 |
| Saint Anselm College | Private | $48,300 | $48,300 | 1,800 |
| Southern NH University | Private | $16,500 | $16,500 | 135,000 |
| NH Community College (avg) | Community | $6,504 | $14,400 | 6,000 |
New Hampshire State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered through the NH Charitable Foundation, NHHEAF, and the NH Department of Education.
Governor's Scholarship Program
For NH high school grads attending an eligible NH institution. Need-based award administered by the NH Charitable Foundation.
UNIQUE Annual Allocation
Additional state contribution to UNIQUE College Investing Plan accounts for qualifying NH residents.
NH Charitable Foundation Scholarships
The NHCF administers more than 80 scholarship funds covering a wide range of fields and communities.
Student Loan Options for New Hampshire Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does New Hampshire have a state student loan program?
Yes. New Hampshire offers the The EdvestinU Student Loan (NHHEAF) — a state-affiliated nonprofit lender. Administered by the New Hampshire Higher Education Association Foundation (NHHEAF) through Granite State Management & Resources, EdvestinU offers fixed-rate loans with a dedicated borrower-support team based in NH. New Hampshire residents should still start with federal loans through the FAFSA, but the EdvestinU is worth comparing alongside national private lenders.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, New Hampshire state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from New Hampshire students and families.
How much does college cost in New Hampshire?
Average in-state tuition and fees at New Hampshire public four-year universities is about $17,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $31,800 on campus for New Hampshire residents and $43,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $39,500. Total outstanding federal student debt for New Hampshire residents is approximately $6.3 billion.
Does New Hampshire offer state-funded college grants?
New Hampshire offers the Governor's Scholarship Program (up to $1,000 per year, need-based), UNIQUE 529 matching allocations, and scholarships through the NH Charitable Foundation. NH has historically had less state-funded aid than neighboring states.
Does New Hampshire have a state student loan program?
Yes. The EdvestinU Student Loan (NHHEAF) is a state-affiliated nonprofit lender serving New Hampshire residents. Administered by the New Hampshire Higher Education Association Foundation (NHHEAF) through Granite State Management & Resources, EdvestinU offers fixed-rate loans with a dedicated borrower-support team based in NH.
Which New Hampshire colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
NH community colleges offer the lowest overall cost at about $6,504 per year in tuition and fees. Among public four-year schools, Granite State College is lowest at $8,955. UNH carries the highest in-state rate at roughly $18,989.
What scholarships are available for New Hampshire residents?
Key state-administered awards include the Governor's Scholarship Program, the Workforce Student Loan Repayment Program, and scholarships through NHHEAF and the NH Charitable Foundation. Dartmouth and Saint Anselm also offer substantial institutional aid.
Related New Hampshire Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at New Hampshire public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- NHHEAF and NH Charitable Foundation program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller