Higher Education in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's Enduring Traditions
New Hampshire, long known for its extraordinary quality of life, magnificent landscapes and vibrant small cities, is increasingly recognized for the rich tradition of its public and private colleges and universities.
Today, New Hampshire is home to more than 60,000 students who travel to the state from across the United States and at least 50 countries. Our colleges are located in all regions of the state: the White Mountains, the seacoast, the lakes region, the southwest and the high-tech areas of southern New Hampshire. We have traditional rural campuses and urban sites in restored mill buildings. With institutions varying in size from less than 75 students to over 14,000, New Hampshire has a college that is right for everyone.
The academic programs range from certification programs in the building trades and occupational safety to one of the nation's aviation programs and leading doctoral programs in physics, medicine, and law.
Additionally, New Hampshire has an enduring tradition of engaging citizens in their community. Our institutions and students are integral to that unique tradition – with 40 percent of our students contributing more than half a million hours of volunteer service to community organizations, and more than 1,800 cultural events offered annually on our campuses.
New Hampshire's close proximity to the mountains, beach, metropolitan areas and tax-free shopping make easy use of leisure time. Four beautiful seasons provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities, from ice fishing to body surfing on our 18 miles of Atlantic coastline, or snowshoeing to hiking one of our picturesque mountains. Our state also offers a rich history and culture, including college art galleries, the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, the Holocaust Resource Center at Keene State College, or America's Stonehenge. Just as New Hampshire's geography is varied – rural and urban, coastal and mountainous – so too are our institutions. We welcome all.