New England College
New England College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
New England College at a Glance
New England College (NEC) is a private liberal arts college in Henniker, New Hampshire, United States. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. As of fall 2020, the college enrolled 4,327 students.
Is New England College Worth It?
At a value score of 13/100, New England College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,092 — 22% below average — while paying $26,972/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,000 representing 62% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at New England College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How New England College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #101 of 114 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #5 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #101 | New England College | 13 | $26,972 | $42,092 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of New England College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NH.
Best Programs at New England College
The highest-earning program at New England College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from New England College earns $34,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $34,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,972/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,500 | $34,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Henniker, NH
- Student Body
- 1,022 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,972
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,092
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000