Community College System of NH Freezes Tuition Again

CONCORD, NH — Trustees at New Hampshire’s community college system voted on Thursday to freeze tuition rates for the next school year.

The Community College System of NH froze the per credit charge to $215 or about $6,450 annually for a full-time course load. This is the fourth year in a row that trustees have voted to freeze the tuition in an effort to keep community colleges as an affordable college option for Granite Staters.

“Our message to New Hampshire families is that high-quality college education is within reach at colleges that are designed to support a broad range of aspirations, from entry into valuable and meaningful careers and to continuing education,” Kathy Bogle Shields, the chairwoman of CCSNH’s board of trustees, said. “Across the state and region, our graduates are doing well and making a significant and critical difference in their communities.”

At the seven community colleges, the full-time annual tuition is only $150 more than it was 10 years ago when the credit rate was $210. Officials said they have “worked aggressively” to control costs. In any given year, as much as 93 percent of students enrolled are state residents. The schools offer associated degree programs in many fields including advanced manufacturing, business, health care, IT, nursing, public safety, social sciences, and STEM. The schools also offer liberal arts programs and transfer opportunities to the University System of New Hampshire, SNHU, and other schools.

“We appreciate the work of the NH Legislature and governor to help us keep tuition affordable,” Susan Huard, CCSNH interim chancellor, said. “Our graduates’ track record of employment and economic mobility is part of what makes New Hampshire a resilient and vibrant state.”

The system is working with incoming students who might be eligible for COVID-19-relief grants. It has also teamed up with the NH Charitable Foundation and the Foundation for NH Community Colleges to provide one free, three-credit course in the fall semester to any member of a New Hampshire high school Class of 2021.

More information can be found here about that program.

School locations include Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth and Rochester; Lakes Region Community College in Laconia; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community College; NHTI, Concord’s Community College; River Valley Community College in Claremont, Lebanon, and Keene; and White Mountains Community College in Berlin, Littleton and North Conway.

Enrollment at the Community College System of NH runs through Aug. 30.

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