Thanks to its higher-than-average salaries and lower-than-average unemployment rate, New Hampshire is a great place to live, work, and study. An online master’s degree allows you to take advantage of New Hampshire’s strong labor market and dive deeper into your career. Plus, online coursework can be completed remotely on your schedule.
This guide reveals the best online master’s degrees in NH as well as the most lucrative careers and degree types in your state. Keep reading for the online master’s programs in New Hampshire that can help you earn more and advance your career.
2024’s Top Online Master’s Programs in New Hampshire
Getting a degree online provides the same academic quality as an in-person degree with the added convenience and flexibility of being able to learn from anywhere with an internet connection. Depending on the online program, students either take classes at set times in a virtual classroom or asynchronously, watching lectures and completing coursework at their own pace. Both program types are common in New Hampshire and some programs even blend the two. When classes are at set times, the school usually works around working professionals’ schedules to ensure they can balance both.
Fortunately for virtual learners, there are many high-quality online master’s programs in New Hampshire. While the “best” program will differ from student to student, there are great options for online master’s students. These top schools offer flexible study options, reasonable costs, and virtual student support. Even if they aren’t a good fit, you can use these spotlights as a quality barometer when researching other schools.
When looking for online master’s degrees, all students should consider the University of New Hampshire. The school provides online or hybrid master’s in a variety of fields, including business, education, nursing, and more. The university offers 20 fully online master’s degrees and even more virtual graduate certificates for those who want to continue their education but aren’t ready to commit to a full degree.
Some of their most popular master’s degrees include social work, educational studies, and project management. No matter what degree a student chooses, they have access to the university’s online professional development resources. To make these degrees more affordable, the school also offers generous financial aid resources and packages to most graduate students.
With 30 fully online master’s degrees, Southern New Hampshire University is a leader in virtual education. Most SNHU virtual master’s include live class sessions, asynchronous course modules, or a mix of the two formats. No matter the modality, the school offers flexible class times and options so students can balance their degree with work and life obligations.
Within many of SNHU’s master’s programs, students can choose a specific area of specialization. For example, students in the master of marketing program choose between a concentration in social media, new media, marketing research analytics, or digital marketing. Popular master’s at SNHU include English, psychology, and business administration. For all programs, students have 24/7 access to coursework.
New England College is a leader in online education and graduate programs. Currently, New England College offers over 20 fully online master’s degrees. If students prefer some on-campus time, certain degrees can also be completed in a hybrid format. Some of the school’s most popular master’s degrees include the MBA, master’s in cybersecurity, MFA in creative writing, master’s in accounting, and master’s in education.
In many cases, students can specialize in different areas during their master’s program at New England College. Accounting graduate students, for example, specialize in a specific area, such as forensic accounting, while education master’s candidates focus on a specific grade level or area, such as special education or K-12 leadership. To make their master’s more affordable, New England College freezes tuition for current students and offers several types of financial aid.
Available Formats for NH Online Master’s Programs
Online master’s programs are all completed virtually, but that’s where the similarities end. Beyond that, there are different format types, admissions requirements, and other factors to consider. Below are the four most common types of online master’s programs in New Hampshire — learn more about the ideal student for each.
Full-time Online Master’s Programs in NH
Typical online master’s degrees in NH are designed to be taken on a full-time basis, meaning coursework is a student’s primary concern. Popular full-time degrees include the master’s in communication at Southern New Hampshire University and the clinical mental health counseling master’s at Antioch University.
Full-time degrees can be completed faster than their part-time counterparts, but it can be tricky, if not impossible, to balance with a full-time job. Make sure your schedule permits the time needed to study and attend lectures before committing to a full-time program.
Part-time Online Master’s Programs in NH
What do the health care management master’s at the University of New Hampshire and education master’s at New England College have in common? Both can be completed on a part-time basis. Part-time degrees are easier to balance with work and life obligations, making them ideal for those with full-time jobs or significant responsibilities outside of work. While it’s easier to balance a part-time degree, they also take longer to complete since students take fewer courses per semester.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in NH
For many master’s programs, students must take the GRE, a standardized test for graduate school applicants. If you’re unhappy with your GRE scores, don’t have the time to take it in the first place, or experience test anxiety, consider no-GRE programs.
As the name suggests, no-GRE master’s don’t require students to submit test scores. Instead, they judge applicants on other qualifications, such as undergraduate grades and letters of recommendation. Popular no-GRE programs in NH include the master’s in economics at Southern New Hampshire University and the master’s in environmental studies at Antioch University.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in NH
A master’s degree takes about three years to complete. If you want to earn your degree faster, consider accelerated online master’s degrees in NH. In an accelerated program, such as the MBA at the University of New Hampshire, students work through coursework in about one to two years. Some programs can even be completed in less than one year. One of the best 1-year master’s in New Hampshire is the MBA at Southern New Hampshire University.
Master’s Degrees Worth Considering in New Hampshire
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Getting a master’s in business administration (MBA) is often a necessary to transition into leadership positions in the corporate world. Typically, online MBAs cover foundational knowledge in all business fields. They also provide students with the option to specialize in a specific area, such as finance, general management, supply chain operations, marketing, or human resources. In some programs, applicants are required to have business experience before applying. In others, only an undergraduate degree in business or a related field is required.
Quality Examples of Online MBA Programs
Master of Science in Computer Science
Computer science is one of the most in-demand fields across the United States. In New Hampshire students can choose from a number of high-quality online programs. In many master’s in computer science programs, students specialize in a specific area, such as cybersecurity or IT management. These degrees either focus on cultivating leadership abilities in students or providing specialized knowledge in a specific area of computer science. In New Hampshire, programs with a focus on cybersecurity were the most common.
Quality Examples of Online Computer Science Programs
Master of Social Work (MSW)
To become a licensed social worker in New Hampshire, students must first complete their master of social work (MSW). Online MSW programs provide theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to manage cases and provide support for vulnerable populations. After graduating, social workers can take on a variety of roles, including coordinating foster placements for children or managing immigration cases for refugee populations.
Quality Examples of Online MSW Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
New Hampshire is facing a nursing shortage, including a lack of qualified candidates for nurse managerial and leadership roles. Typically, nurses need a master of science in nursing (MSN) to apply for leadership roles. MSN programs prepare nurses for a specific subspeciality of nursing, such as nurse education, nurse administration, or nurse leadership. Because of this, it’s important to see each program’s specialty.
Quality Examples of Online MSN Programs
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
Individuals who love to write or analyze writing may benefit from getting their master of fine arts (MFA) in creative writing. In creative writing MFA programs, students hone their voices and practice various literary styles, including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Sometimes, students have the option to specialize in one genre while other programs put equal emphasis on all three. Graduates are prepared for work in a variety of roles, including as authors, editors, and public relations managers.
Quality Examples of Online MFA Programs
Don’t Break the Bank: The Cost of an Online Master’s in NH
Getting a master’s degree is a significant financial commitment. The average master’s degree costs $19,792 a year in the United States, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. In New Hampshire, it is possible to find degrees that cost less than the national average, though some are around or above the national average, too. For a better idea of how much online master’s degrees in NH cost, explore the three programs listed below.
Note: When looking at cost, it’s important to remember there may be fees and other expenses in addition to tuition.
| School/Program | No. of Credits | Resident Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
30-32 | $650 | $19,500-$20,800 | |
33 | $784 | $25,872 | |
36 | $637 | $22,932 |
New Hampshire Financial Aid Options
The numbers in the table above may seem high, but that doesn’t mean you have to tackle tuition and fees alone. There are plenty of financial aid options for master’s students to offset the cost of the degree. You can consider applying for scholarships and grants,fellowships, work-study programs and graduate research assistantships to help pay for your education.
Many schools in New Hampshire also offer university-sponsored financial aid. At New England College, for example, the school freezes tuition for all students and offers graduate assistantships and scholarships. The University of New Hampshire also offers aid in the form of assistantships and fellowships. For more financial aid information specific to New Hampshire, explore this resource provided by the state’s department of education.
Lucrative New Hampshire Careers for Master’s Graduates
Graduate school can boost your earning potential and job opportunities. Workers with a master’s degree make $1,661 a week, over $200 more each week than their counterparts with a bachelor’s degree — $10,400 more in annual earnings. In New Hampshire, certain positions that require a master’s degree make even more. To explore the most lucrative and in-demand careers in NH, keep reading.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists research patterns of disease and injury and brainstorm public health solutions to stop the spread of disease and other mental health concerns. Across the United States, the demand for these professionals is growing. In New Hampshire, graduates can expect higher-than-average salaries and many career opportunities.
| NH Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $115,024 | 27% | Master of Epidemiology or Public Health |
Source: New Hampshire Employment Security, 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Economist
Economists study trends in the economy and provide recommendations to governments, private companies, research institutes, and other employers based on the economic trends. The demand for economists is slightly more than average across the United States. Salaries in New Hampshire are healthy, with many opportunities for professional growth.
| NH Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $124,114 | 6% | MBA in Economics |
Source: New Hampshire Employment Security, 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Financial Manager
Financial managers work on behalf of companies, nonprofits, and government organizations to manage their finances, including day-to-day operations, and clients’ investment portfolios. Because financial managers usually need an MBA and work experience, their salaries are much higher. In New Hampshire, there are also plenty of opportunities for career growth and leadership roles.
| NH Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $156,832 | 16% | MBA in Finance |
Source: New Hampshire Employment Security, 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work with those who have suffered an injury at work or due to a routine action. Professionals work with patients on recovering from their injury, using their education and training in occupational therapy and anatomy. In New Hampshire, earning potential and market demand are higher for occupational therapists.
| NH Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $88,067 | 15% | Master of Occupational Therapy |
Source: New Hampshire Employment Security, 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Postsecondary Education Administrator
Education administrators help colleges and universities run efficiently. They work across various departments, and a master’s degree in education (MEd) is usually required to enter the field. In New Hampshire, education administrators have a high earning potential and many top-tier universities to choose from.
| NH Median Salary | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $126,298 | 4% | MEd in Higher Education |
Source: New Hampshire Employment Security, 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023