Best Nursing Schools in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's best nursing schoolsNursing schools in New Hampshire help aspiring nurse start their careers off right. Nursing professionals are in high demand throughout the state, from big cities like Manchester and to small towns. No matter what kind of nursing you see yourself working in, there is a school in this state to help you out. Check out the information below to learn more about what New Hampshire nursing programs can do for you.

How to Become a Nurse in New Hampshire

Becoming a nurse in New Hampshire requires you to get a college education. The type of degree you need will depend on the type of nurse you want to become. You should choose a school that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) to get the best education available to you. Then you just have t make sure your degree is sufficient enough for your career goals.
The list below shows some of the most common nursing degrees in New Hampshire:

  • Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years

Once you complete your degree program, you will need to apply for a license through the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. You may also want to earn certifications for skills related to your nursing profession. The certifications you need will change from one job setting to the next, so research your potential career to find out what you need to get.

Tuition for New Hampshire Nursing Schools

The tuition you pay for nursing school will be based on several factors, like the type of school you attend, the type of degree you earn, the amount of time your degree takes, etc. The College Board estimates tuition rates for New Hampshire schools based on average it collects throughout the state. Those averages include:

  • Public Two Year College: $6,736 per year
  • Public Four Year University: $15,665 per year
  • Private Four Year University: $35,120 per year

Job Prospects for New Hampshire Nurses

Nurses in New Hampshire can earn pretty good money, especially in the upper levels of the field. Nurse practitioners make three to four times the money nursing assistants make, but they also have to spend several more years in school. You might want to think about your earning potential when selecting a job to pursue. Here are some income statistics for New Hampshire nurses, courtesy of the BLS:

  • Nursing Assistant: $29,740 per year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $47,800 per year
  • Registered Nurse: $67,190 per year
  • Nurse Practitioner: $106,210 per year

Think about the many nursing schools New Hampshire has to offer you, and you will soon find the one that is perfect for your goals.


Nursing Schools in New Hampshire

Granite State College

Granite State College is one of four instituions for higher learning in the University System of New Hampshire. The mission of the University System is two fold; to serve as the system’s statewide college and to lead out in online edcuation. Granite State College takes pride in offering affordable, convenient, and innovative education to undergraduates, graduate students, and continuing education professionals. Participants of the nursing program can go at their own rate to complete the coursework. The program is fully accredited and will prepare studetns for a profession in nursing.

  • Location: Concord
  • Student Enrollment: 2,662
  • Type fo School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • Granite State College Nursing Programsl: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition: $7,065

Rivier College

As a Private Roman Catholic liberal arts college it’s greatest strength is found in its Roman Catholic heritage. Committed to the faith and intellectual tradition Rivier has students that are caring and aspiring individuals. Rivier programs provide students with individual attention, quality education, and numerous opportunities for practical experience. Rivier is also the only college in the state of New Hampshire that offers nursing programs through Doctoral Programs and each is fully accredited.

  • Location: Nashua, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 2,289
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Rivier College Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, Nurse Practitioner, DNP
  • Tuition: $28,900

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University’s nursing programs are entirely online, the experience allows students to bring their own contributions to the learning environment and provide diverse values and beliefs. Students of the online program are viewed as both learners and learning resources to other students. The online approach to nurse education removes barriers to advancement for working nurses and provides an affordable, convenient, competency-based opportunity for higher education.

  • Location: Manchester
  • Student Enrollment: 9,843
  • Type of School:
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs:
  • Southern New Hampshire University Nursing Programs: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition: $29,604

Saint Anselm College

Saint Anselm College offers one of the most selective and respected nursing programs in New England. Participants of the nursing program will be prepared for the fast paced evolving world of nursing as compassionate caregivers and leaders in their profession. The program offers a humanistic approach to nursing to train students to give compassionate whole patient care. Graduates will be prepared to provide quality care to patients across the lifespan and in a variety of health care settings both rural and in cities.

  • Location: Manchester, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 1,968
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Saint Anselm College Nursing Programs: BS/BSN
  • Tuition: $36,724

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire is rooted in dedication and hard work thriving today as a research university and building lasting relationships. The curriculum for the nursing programs are founded in coursework including biology, humanities, and social sciences. Participants of the nursing program are viewed as active learners in a creative process that fosters education, growth, and development. The final year of the nursing program students apply curriculum they learned and nursing concepts in a precepted clinical experience.

  • Location: Durham, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 15,398
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • University of New Hampshire Nursing Programs: BS/BSN
  • Tuition: $14,050

Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College is located in New London, New Hampshire and is a vigorous and creative liberal arts and science college. At this moment, 100% of their students have participated in an internship providing necessary experience in their field of study. This allows them to create learning portfolios in and out of the classroom. The Nursing Program at Colby-Sawyer College integrates classroom knowledge with professional education and experience. Students who continue to perform are well prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which will allow them the opportunity to obtain a job immediately after college graduation. Graduates from the nursing program will be able to work in various settings: hospitals, clinics, private practices, and any organization that is healthcare related that requires nurses on-hand.

  • Location: New London, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 1,205
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Colby-Sawyer College Nursing Programs: BS/BSN
  • Tuition: $39,200

NHTI – Concord’s Community College

NHTI Concord’s Community College was established in 1965 and is located in Concord, New Hampshire. The college was originally known as New Hampshire Technical Institute before changing to NHTI, Concord’s Community College. The college offers up to 90 different academic programs for students to choose from allowing them the opportunity to discover their own strengths and talents. The college provides the following reasons as to why the nursing program is the your best investment: 1) Opportunity for future practice and growth, 2) Classroom size is 8:1 ratio of students to teacher, 3) Classes are able to scheduled either days or evenings, and 4) The faculty are experts in the nursing field.

  • Location: Concord, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 3,645
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Tuition: $200/credit hour
  • NHTI Concord’s Community College Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN

Lakes Region Community College

Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) was established as a community college in 1967 within the heart of the Lakes Region. In 2013, LRCC went through a major expansion adding on the Health and Science Building which offers the following programs and labs: Nursing, Science laboratories, and Fire Science. The students receive instruction in higher learning, academic excellence, allowing them to be more competitive in the job market, and continued growth individually and within their vocation.

  • Location: Laconia, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 1,000+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Tuition (in-state): $200/credit hour
  • Tuition (out-of-state): $455/credit hour
  • Lakes Region Community College Nursing Programs: Associate

Manchester Community College

Manchester Community College is located in the city Manchester, and was established as a community college in 1963. Since 1963, the college has become one of the largest community colleges within the college system. Manchester Community College invites students increase their skills and knowledge via comprehensive and innovative programs.

  • Location: Manchester, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 2,500+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Tuition (in-state): $155/credit hour
  • Tuition (out-of-state): $465/credit hour
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Manchester Community College Programs: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Medical Office Assistant (MOA)

River Valley Community College

Since 1968 River Valley Community College has been providing quality education in an academic environment small enough to allow individualized attention for each student to promote engaged learning. Options for course work are varied and flexible, students even have the option of competing all courses entirely online. Graduates of the nursing program are prepared to enter the nursing profession as safe and effective health care professionals. Graduates are also qualified for immediate employment in a variety of healthcare settings that include hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.

  • Location: Claremont, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 900+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • Tuition (in-state): $200/credit hour
  • Tuition (out-of-state): $455/credit hour
  • River Valley Community College Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN

White Mountains Community College

White Mountains Community College has the vision of helping every student succeed. To make that happen WMCC offers traditional classes during the day throughout the week, evening and weekend classes and also accredited online classes. Whether students have the goal of preparing for a four year college or university or getting the necessary training and certification to enter the workforce upon graduation from WMCC, WMCC will help make it happen.

  • Location: Berlin, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 1,045
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • White Mountains Community College Nursing Programs: Associate
  • Tuition: $7,344

Great Bay Community College

Great Bay Community College is an affordable institution of higher learning that promotes excellence, innovation, and collaboration. It was founded in 1945 as a trade school to train demobilized veterans and prepare them for meaningful employment. It has since blossomed into a successful community college offering numerous two year degrees and certifications. Currently GBCC provides a few different routes to earn a degree in nursing.

  • Location: Stratham, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 2,217
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Great Bay Community College Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN
  • Tuition: $7,104

Nashua Community College

Nashua Community College is the preferred college in the region offering rigorous academics that evolve to meet the needs of the diverse student body and community occupational needs. One thing unique to attending Nashua is students have the opportunity to earn a BSN while still attending a community college and only paying the cost of community college tuition. Students who complete their Associate with Nashua can then work towards their BSN through a pathways program utilizing Granite State College’s fully accredited and respected BSN program.

  • Location: Nashua, NH
  • Student Enrollment: 1,925
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Nashua Community College Nursing Programs: Associate, RN, RN to BSN
  • Tuition: $6,912
  • www.nashuacc.edu/

St. Joseph Hospital – School of Practical Nursing

If you want to be a professional nurse that is prepared for the fast paced industry, then St. Joseph – School of Practical Nursing is the place to start. Nursing is all St. Joseph teaches and has a long standing history of graduating competent, confident nurses. The faculty provides a wealth of academic and clinical experiences to enhance every student’s education. Clinical affiliations that students will prepared in include St. Joseph Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, and long-term care facilities

  • Location: Nashua, NH
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • St. Joseph Hospital – School of Practical Nursing Programs: LPN
  • www.sjhacademiccenter.org