Private universities and colleges are institutions that offer four-year bachelor’s degrees (and in many cases, graduate degree programs) across a wide range of fields. These schools may be more expensive than their public counterparts, but they are often held in very high regard by employers, improving graduates’ job prospects upon completing their nursing degree.

Private schools also tend to be smaller, which comes with several benefits. For one, students experience small class sizes throughout their education, giving them the chance to get to know their professors very well. Additionally, students are able to schedule more one-on-one time when necessary, ensuring a level of individualized attention that is much harder to find at large public institutions.

In New Hampshire, students can choose from private schools such as Saint Anselm College, Colby-Sawyer College, and Franklin Pierce University. Private universities like these give graduates a leg up when applying for jobs with companies such as Genesis Healthcare or Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Furthermore, students who pursue a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse will maintain an advantage over those who earned a two-year associate’s degree in nursing, as they will have much more experience and education from which to draw. Registered nurses in New Hampshire typically earn a salary of $62,000 per year, with the possibility of earning over $75,000 annually in some cases.

If you’re interested in attending a nursing program at a private college or university, we’ve compiled below a list of the best private nursing schools in New Hampshire.

Manchester / Nashua area

Harmony Health Care Institute
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Manchester
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Rivier University
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Professional Practice
  • DNP: Systems Leadership
  • LPN-to-ASN Degree Completion
  • MSN: Advanced Practice RN Degree Completion
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Leadership in Health Systems Management
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Saint Anselm College
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Salter School of Nursing & Allied Health
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Southern New Hampshire University
  • Accelerated RN-to-MSN Track
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Healthcare Quality and Safety
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leadership
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Population Healthcare
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Healthcare Quality and Safety
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Joseph School of Nursing
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
School City Programs offered
Harmony Health Care Institute Merrimack
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Manchester Manchester
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Rivier University Nashua
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Professional Practice
  • DNP: Systems Leadership
  • LPN-to-ASN Degree Completion
  • MSN: Advanced Practice RN Degree Completion
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Leadership in Health Systems Management
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Saint Anselm College Manchester
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Salter School of Nursing & Allied Health Manchester
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester
  • Accelerated RN-to-MSN Track
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Healthcare Quality and Safety
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leadership
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Population Healthcare
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Healthcare Quality and Safety
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Joseph School of Nursing Nashua
  • Associate Degree in Nursing

Other New Hampshire cities

Colby-Sawyer College
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Franklin Pierce University
  • Graduate Certificate: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Colby-Sawyer College New London
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Franklin Pierce University Rindge
  • Graduate Certificate: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Category: 
New Hampshire