University of New Hampshire: Rankings, Acceptance Rate & Guide

If you’ve been weighing whether the University of New Hampshire deserves a spot on your college list, you’re looking at one of New England’s most practical public research options. UNH ranks as the #7 Best Value Public University according to US News, and more than nine in ten undergraduates finish what they start. For students who want solid outcomes without Ivy League sticker shock, that combination is worth a closer look.

Best Value Ranking: #7 Public University (US News) · Undergrad Success Rate: 94% · Campus Location: Durham, New Hampshire · Institution Type: Public Land-Grant Research · US News Profile: Rankings and Data Available

Five key metrics tell a consistent story about UNH’s academic profile and athletic performance.

Is the University of New Hampshire a good university?

By the numbers that matter most to prospective students, UNH earns solid marks. The university holds the #7 spot among public universities for best value, according to US News rankings, which means students get measurable outcomes relative to what they pay. A 94% undergraduate success rate signals that most students who enroll actually complete their degree — a metric that speaks directly to academic support and student retention.

Overall reputation

As a land-grant research institution, UNH carries a different profile than small liberal arts colleges. The research focus attracts federal funding and supports graduate programs, while the undergraduate experience benefits from that infrastructure. The “Little Ivy” label sometimes applied to UNH reflects its selective admissions within the public university sector and strong regional reputation in New England.

Student outcomes

The 2025 NCAA Graduation Success Rate data offers a window into how UNH supports its student-athletes: 95% of UNH student-athletes graduate, compared to a 90% national average. Eight UNH women’s teams posted a perfect 100% GSR, the highest count in the America East Conference. The university ranks third in the conference behind Vermont (97%) and Bryant (96%), making it a top performer regionally.

What majors is UNH known for?

UNH operates as a comprehensive research university, which means the academic portfolio spans liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, and professional programs. Without a narrow specialty like a technical institute, UNH offers breadth — students choose from more than 100 majors across undergraduate colleges.

Popular programs

Marine biology, environmental science, and engineering consistently rank among UNH’s strongest programs, reflecting the university’s location near the New Hampshire coast and its land-grant research mission. Business administration, health sciences, and psychology also draw high enrollment numbers.

Academics overview

The honors program and undergraduate research opportunities set UNH apart from larger public universities where undergrads can get lost. Students report meaningful access to faculty, particularly in upper-division courses. Class sizes in introductory courses can exceed 200 students, but the university has invested in instructional support for those large-format courses.

How hard is it to get into UNH?

UNH operates with an 87-88% acceptance rate, making it one of the more accessible public universities in New England. That figure places UNH in “somewhat selective” territory — the majority of applicants receive an offer, but admission standards still filter for competitive candidates.

Acceptance rate

Across multiple verified sources, UNH accepted 18,144 of 20,887 applicants, yielding an 87-88% acceptance rate. The male acceptance rate sits at 84%, while female applicants see 87-90% acceptance. Petersons reports slightly higher numbers: 21,175 applicants with 18,667 accepted in a recent cycle, translating to approximately 88%.

Admission requirements

Standardized test scores provide a useful benchmark for competitive applicants. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1120-1320 (reading 550-670, math 540-660), while ACT scores fall between 26-31. These ranges indicate that strong-but-not-elite academic performance clears the bar for admission.

How prestigious is the University of New Hampshire?

Prestige is a loaded word in higher education. UNH doesn’t compete with Harvard or MIT for national rankings spotlight, but within its tier — regional public research universities — it punches above its weight. The US News ranking as #7 Best Value Public University anchors that assessment in concrete data rather than reputation alone.

Rankings data

US News places UNH among the top 10 public universities for value, a category that weighs outcomes against cost. The university also ranks within the top 100 nationally among all universities in some categories. Regional comparisons show UNH competing effectively against schools like University of Vermont, University of Maine, and University of Rhode Island.

Comparisons

Within the America East Conference, UNH ranks third for NCAA Graduation Success Rate at 95%, behind Vermont (97%) and Bryant (96%). In academic outcomes, UNH matches or exceeds most peer institutions. The gap between UNH and elite private universities is real in terms of selectivity and endowment, but that gap translates to affordability rather than quality for many students.

University of New Hampshire ranking

The primary ranking that prospective students should track: UNH holds #7 among Best Value Public Universities, according to US News. This ranking combines academic quality, graduation rates, and cost data — the three factors that matter most for families making a budget decision.

US News position

US News places UNH in the top tier of public universities nationally for value, a category that rewards schools delivering measurable outcomes without premium pricing. The detailed rankings profile on US News covers retention rates, graduation performance, and peer assessment scores.

Other metrics

EduRank, Niche, and Petersons all report consistent enrollment and admissions data, though their methodology for ranking differs from US News. For athletic metrics, UNH ranks among the top three in the America East Conference for Graduation Success Rate. QS World University Rankings data remains unclear in current verified sources.

Related reading: NCAA Football Scores Today · No Child Left Behind Act

Alongside its #7 best value public university ranking and 87-88% acceptance rate, detailed rankings and admissions overview underscores UNH’s 79% graduation success.

Frequently asked questions

UNH’s score bested the national average of 90. — UNH Athletics (Official Athletics Department)

It’s a pay day of sorts for collegiate student-athletes nationwide, including those at the University of New Hampshire. — Laconia Daily Sun (Regional News Reporting)

For students weighing UNH against other regional options, the value calculus is straightforward: the university delivers measurable outcomes (94% success rate, #7 Best Value Public) at a cost structure that rewards New Hampshire residents particularly. Out-of-state applicants should compare total cost against peer institutions before committing. The athletic infrastructure — 18 Division I teams, a 95% graduation rate for student-athletes, and upcoming NIL payments — adds a dimension that some competitors lack.