5 Most Affordable Online Colleges in New Hampshire 2025

Online degrees allow New Hampshire students to enroll in higher education programs without committing to strict on-campus scheduling or high tuition rates.

Despite being the fifth smallest state, New Hampshire has multiple affordable online colleges and traditional students that provide quality education to learners across the state. These schools allow students to pursue different online degree programs ranging from associate degrees up to doctoral-level degrees.

Students in the Granite State should review all of the online learning programs available to them to help them prepare for any career goals they have. Online learners can take advantage of the cheapest colleges in New Hampshire without sacrificing in-state tuition rates or state-based financial aid programs.

List of the Cheapest & Most Affordable Online Colleges in New Hampshire

Any higher education is an investment, but the cheapest online colleges in New Hampshire allow students to earn degrees without the high costs of on-campus education. Some of these affordable online colleges offer many bachelor's programs and master's degrees in remote learning environments, while others have more limited selections.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is one of the top-ranking online universities in the United States, with students nationwide. SNHU offers college degrees at every level through self-paced, fully online courses. Learners can choose from over 200 online education programs that they can complete at their own pace. Some of the most popular programs include business administration, criminal justice, and education.

SNHU's online undergraduate degrees cost $330 per credit hour, regardless of residency or enrollment status. SNHU's online graduate degree programs cost $637 per credit hour. Students can lower their costs with military discounts, scholarship options, and up to 90 transfer credits.

2. Franklin Pierce University

Franklin Pierce University offers online courses and full degree programs in multiple fields. Some of the most popular online bachelor's programs include criminal justice, human services, general studies, and more.

FPU's tuition rates for online undergraduate programs range from $250 to $400, with most courses costing $400. The regular tuition rate for online graduate programs is $665 per credit hour. Online learners can pursue grants, scholarships, and student employment opportunities in addition to federal student aid.

3. University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire includes the Durham and Manchester (formerly Granite State College) locations. The Manchester campus is home to the UNH College of Professional Studies, which coordinates the online degree programs. Students can earn their first bachelor's degree or transfer a previously earned associate degree. Popular subjects include accounting and finance, healthcare management, and public administration.

New Hampshire residents pay $314 or $570 per credit hour for online undergraduate or graduate degrees, respectively. In addition to its scholarship and grant offerings, UNH offers 11 tuition waivers and discounts.

4. Colby?Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College has a limited distance education catalog but offers multiple health-related programs. Students can complete the following bachelor's degree-completion programs:

  • RN to BSN
  • RT to BS in respiratory therapy
  • AS to BS in health studies

Colby-Sawyer also offers online graduate degrees, including a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. There is also an online MBA program available.

Tuition costs for the online undergraduate programs are $6,000 per semester. The online graduate programs vary per program. The MBA program costs $8,625 while the MSN and DNP cost $9,000 and $13,500, respectively.

5. New England College

New England College's online degree offerings include 15 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees. Popular fields of study include accounting, data science, and information technology. NEC also offers an educational leadership doctorate online.

The online undergraduate courses at New England College cost $375 per credit hour, except for the RN to BSN program, which costs $299, and the BA in education, which costs $300. There is no standard tuition rate for master's programs, but most will cost between $462 and $621 per credit hour.

Our Selection Criteria

These online New Hampshire colleges were chosen based on our strict criteria. We focused on several key factors to rank them and selected these programs based on how they align with criteria, such as:

  • Affordability: We selected programs that have tuition rates near or under $500 per credit hour for undergraduate programs.
  • Diverse learning experiences: Although some of the schools on this list have specialized or limited degrees, most have a wide selection of programs that can lead to diverse real-world opportunities.
  • Accreditation: We only selected accredited universities. Accreditation adds value to a degree, and college students with accredited degrees will be able to apply for careers or pursue graduate programs. Accreditation is also required to use federal financial aid.

How Much Does a Cheap College in New Hampshire Cost?

Students can find affordable colleges in New Hampshire with tuition rates as low as $10,000 to $15,000. The most affordable colleges will be nonprofit public schools, on average. However, some students might find their desired degree to be affordable at for-profit and private schools.

How Can I Make an Online Degree Affordable?

Strategic preparation and investigation are needed to reduce the cost of an online degree. The various types of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, should be investigated by prospective students.

Several institutions also provide payment plans so that the cost can be spread out over time. Additionally, some employers provide tuition reimbursement plans for degrees with practical use.

To locate the most affordable program, it is crucial to examine tuition prices and financial aid programs offered by various universities.

Learn more below on how to make an online degree more affordable:

FAQs About Higher Education at the Cheapest Colleges in New Hampshire

Recent high school and community college graduates, as well as adult learners looking to return to college, can benefit from online education. Despite all of the benefits, these students often have questions about these schools and the degrees available.

What Is the Cheapest Online College in New Hampshire?

Using information from College Navigator, the cheapest online college in New Hampshire is Franklin Pierce University, based on in-state tuition. However, many schools that have higher tuition rates also offer financial aid that can reduce costs.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get Into in New Hampshire?

New England College has one of the highest acceptance rates in the state according to the National Center for Education Statistics. NEC only requires an application form and transcripts. The school has a 96% acceptance rate and doesn't consider standardized test scores.

How Long Does It Take To Get an Online Bachelor's Degree?

Traditional in-person bachelor's degrees generally take four years, but online degrees can take less time. Students who utilize summer semesters and a full-time enrollment schedule can complete their bachelor's degree in as few as two years. Students with transfer credits can reduce this timeline even further.

Does New Hampshire Have Good Online Colleges?

New Hampshire has many high-quality, accredited online colleges. Schools like Southern New Hampshire University are among the top choices for students both in New Hampshire and out of state.

Explore Accredited Online Bachelor's Degrees

Accredited online bachelor's degrees allow students to pursue higher education on their own schedule. Read our school profiles to learn more about the degrees available in New Hampshire and other states. Once you've found the best degrees for your career goals, use our resources to reach out and start your application today.