University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus at a Glance
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Durham, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded and incorporated in 1866 as a land grant college in Hanover, moved to Durham in 1893, and adopted its current name in 1923.
1866
160 years old
$1.1B
$1.06 billion (2025)(system-wide)
14,784
12,202 undergrad · 2,582 grad
997
16:1 student:faculty
2,600 acres
27 residence halls
250+
Identity
How to Apply to University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
Official admissions pageNovember 15 (Early Action)
$50
1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Worth It?
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus offers moderate value at $23,805/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $66,479, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of New Hampshire-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #31 of 61 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #31 | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | 53 | $23,805 | $66,479 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of New Hampshire-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of New Hampshire-Main Campus earns $68,200, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,805/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,200 | $68,200 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $67,400 | $67,400 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $63,700 | $63,700 | $26,379 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,900 | $60,900 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,000 | $58,000 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,300 | $55,300 | $27,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $50,400 | $50,400 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,900 | $47,900 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $46,700 | $46,700 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $46,000 | $46,000 | $27,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $40,400 | $40,400 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $40,300 | $40,300 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $38,300 | $38,300 | $25,909 |
| Biology, General | $38,000 | $38,000 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,900 | $37,900 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | $37,700 | $37,700 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,800 | $36,800 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $36,300 | $36,300 | $26,990 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $33,900 | $33,900 | $27,000 |
| Music | $33,700 | $33,700 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $33,200 | $33,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,000 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $32,100 | $32,100 | $27,000 |
| History | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,300 | $30,300 | $25,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $28,400 | $28,400 | $27,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $28,100 | $28,100 | $26,262 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $26,500 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $26,000 | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $25,300 | $25,300 | $27,000 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $22,800 | $22,800 | $27,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $22,500 | $22,500 | $27,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $22,000 | $22,000 | N/A |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,100 | $20,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Durham, NH
- Student Body
- 11,261 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,805
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,479
- Median Student Debt
- $26,814