Head-to-head comparison
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus vs Dartmouth College: which has better ROI?
Option A Durham, NH
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $23,805
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,479
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Hanover, NH
Dartmouth College
- Net price / year
- $29,519
- Earnings, 10 years
- $97,434
- Payback
- 2.4 yrs
Dartmouth College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,076 in 2.4 years versus 5.3 years at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, on median earnings of $97,434 vs $66,479 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Dartmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,805 | $29,519 |
| Total net cost | $95,220 | $118,076 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,479 | $97,434 |
| Median debt | $26,814 | $17,500 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $267,160 | $863,404 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Dartmouth College?
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, at $23,805 a year after aid versus $29,519 — a gap of $5,714 a year, or $22,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Dartmouth College graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates report a median $97,434 ten years after entry, $30,955 more than the $66,479 at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $26,814 at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, a difference of $9,314. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Dartmouth College, against 76% at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.