Recognizing the impact on New Hampshire families of rising costs across many products and services, the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) is freezing tuition for the upcoming academic year at last year’s rate, which has been unchanged since 2018. This makes the 2024-25 academic year the seventh consecutive year with flat in-state tuition of $215 per credit, in a budget recently approved by the CCSNH Board of Trustees. The tuition freeze applies to 200 certificate and degree programs at all seven community colleges across the state and their affiliated academic centers. This rate applies to on campus, online and hybrid offerings.
“The message we want to send to students and families is that there are affordable, accessible and high-quality college opportunities in their home state and right in their communities,” said CCSNH board chair Katharine Bogle Shields. “We also want policy-makers to see we are committed to being responsible stewards as we continue to focus on the needs of New Hampshire’s economy and skilled workforce.”
Tuition stability was a commitment CCSNH made to the legislature in the last state budget cycle. In addition to affordable tuition, CCSNH works with students to identify federal financial aid, as well as scholarship support through the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges. There is additional funding available to help Pell-eligible students bridge the gap between grants and scholarships and the cost of tuition and fees through the state-funded Promise Program this fall.
“We want to ensure that high-quality postsecondary education is within reach for all New Hampshire families, whether they are looking for technical training for the trades, preparing for careers in healthcare, or building a strong foundation for pursuing a college degree in virtually any field,” explains Mark Rubinstein, Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire. “A healthy and thriving community college system means a healthy and thriving workforce pipeline for our statewide business community. This tuition freeze reflects the shared commitment of the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and the Community College System to prioritize affordability and accessibility to keep our economy strong.”
The mission of CCSNH is to provide opportunities for professional development through myriad academic programs, small class sizes, dedicated faculty and direct links to employers looking for employees. “This announcement serves as a reminder to Granite State families of the incredible value of NH’s community colleges, which offer cutting-edge career programs, a strong foundation for college credit transfers, and many pathways to find the most efficient and affordable route to a bachelor’s degree,” said Rubinstein.
NH community colleges serve 24,000 students annually in degree and certificate programs, dual-credit courses for NH high school students, non-credit offerings, and customized training with businesses, and through CCSNH’s workforce program, ApprenticeshipNH,.
In addition, the community colleges offer opportunities for engagement outside of the classroom, including student clubs, athletics, and service-learning activities. The goal is to produce well-rounded graduates who are ready to immediately contribute to the state’s economy, employers, and communities.
In-state tuition is set at $215 per credit for New Hampshire residents, a full-time courseload of 30 credits per year costs $6,450 plus fees. Ninety-three percent of CCSNH students are New Hampshire residents. The rate for students in the New England Regional compact is $323 per credit, and the out-of-state rate is $490 per credit.
About CCSNH
New Hampshire’s seven community colleges, located across the state to serve every NH community and region, enroll more than 20,000 students annually including 8,000 high school students who take courses for dual high school and college credit at a reduced cost. Thanks to state support, CCSNH is also able to broaden the number of courses that high schoolers can take at no cost, getting a head start on college requirements and saving from the eventual costs of a college degree. CCSNH also offers short-term, customized career training that prepares individuals for in-demand jobs and helps New Hampshire employees meet their hiring needs. CCSNH works to align its programming with the needs of the state, helping thousands of students enter careers or begin their education before transferring to a four-year college or university. CCSNH has long been the largest transfer partner of the state’s university system and has relationships with numerous other transfer destinations for students.
