Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Manchester, New Hampshire
87.3% Acceptance Rate
University of New Hampshire at Manchester — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.3%Acceptance Rate
3.35Avg GPA
1140Avg SAT
$22,605Annual Cost
$66,479Grad Salary
32%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.3%
Avg GPA
3.35
Avg SAT
1140
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1250
Avg Net Price
$13,302
Need-Based Aid
32% receive Pell
University of New Hampshire at Manchester is a branch of the UNH system that provides students with the rigor of a flagship university in an urban, career-integrated setting. Admissions focus on academic performance and readiness for professional engagement. The university looks for self-motivated students who are looking for specialized, industry-connected programs and a smaller, more personalized campus learning environment.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of New Hampshire at Manchester is inclusive by design. 87.3% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.90
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of New Hampshire at Manchester Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 1 for University of New Hampshire at Manchester (Regular Decision — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by March 31.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 180 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 31
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 31
💡 The scholarship deadline (2027/03/01 (UNH Undergraduate Admissions)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of New Hampshire at Manchester is 3.35. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.05–3.35 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.55–3.75.University of New Hampshire at Manchester GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.95 – 3.14
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.94
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No supplemental essays required beyond standard Common Application essay; acceptance rate approximately 85%; application fee $50 (NH residents) / $65 (non-residents), waivable
- Early Action deadline November 15 (non-binding decision by year's end); Spring Decision deadline October 15; holistic review weighing academic record as primary factor
- Manchester campus specifically hosts Biotechnology, Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering Technology, and ASL/English Interpreting programs not centered the same way at the Durham flagship; 93% graduate placement rate reported
- Financial aid deadline (reported around March 30 by students) is separate from the admissions application deadline and must be tracked independently; UNH's three campuses (Durham, Manchester, Concord) have no inter-campus bus service
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of New Hampshire at Manchester's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of New Hampshire at Manchester Without SAT or ACT?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester Average SAT Score: 1140
Admitted students at University of New Hampshire at Manchester average a 1140 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1140 — Less Competitive
A 1140 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of New Hampshire at Manchester allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1030? A retake is worth it at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1140 | 1030 | 1250 |
A score under 1030 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1250+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of New Hampshire at Manchester with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in University of New Hampshire at Manchester's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of New Hampshire at Manchester takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand You're Applying to a Distinct Career-Focused Campus, Not "UNH Lite"
UNH Manchester uses the same Common App and holistic review as the Durham flagship, but is structurally distinct - it's built around applied STEM and health programs (Biotechnology, Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering Technology, ASL/English Interpreting) not offered the same way in Durham, and reports a 93% graduate placement rate. If Manchester's specific applied programs interest you more than Durham's broader liberal-arts-plus-research model, say so explicitly in your Common App essay - admissions readers can tell when a Manchester application reads like a copy-pasted Durham essay that never mentions the actual campus you're applying to.
No Supplemental Essay Means Your Common App Essay Carries All the Weight - Use It to Name Manchester Specifically
UNH requires no supplemental essays or writing prompts beyond the standard Common App essay - this is unusual among comparable state flagship-affiliated campuses. Because there's no "Why UNH Manchester" prompt to demonstrate fit, work a specific, concrete detail about Manchester (a named program, the co-op model, the smaller campus scale) into your one Common App essay itself, since this is your only written opportunity to differentiate a Manchester application from a generic one.
Ask Directly About the New Paid Co-op Pathway If You're a Psychology or Behavioral Health-Interested Applicant
UNH Manchester recently launched a first-of-its-kind paid co-op program specifically connecting Psychology majors to behavioral health careers (highlighted through student Camille Belkus '26). If behavioral health interests you, ask your admissions counselor directly whether this co-op track has application steps beyond general admission, or a limited number of paid placements - since "first-of-its-kind" programs at smaller campuses often have capacity constraints not yet reflected in general marketing materials.
Hit November 15 Early Action for Faster Decisions and December Financial Aid Planning Time
UNH's Early Action deadline (November 15) yields decisions before year's end, giving you months of extra lead time to compare financial aid offers against other schools before the May 1 National Decision Day. Given that UNH Manchester students have specifically flagged missing the March 30 financial-aid-specific deadline as a costly mistake in their own reviews, apply Early Action and mark the financial aid deadline as a completely separate task from your admissions application - don't assume submitting your Common App early automatically triggers financial aid processing.
Expert Insight:
UNH operates three distinct, physically separate campuses (Durham, Manchester, and Concord for Law) with no bus connections between them - a detail easy to miss when comparing programs across the UNH system. If a specific major you want is only offered at Durham (most majors) rather than Manchester (primarily Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology), confirm which physical campus your intended program is actually taught at before enrolling, since transferring between UNH campuses mid-degree is a real relocation, not an internal course adjustment.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester Profile
Full Name
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
City
Manchester
State
New Hampshire
ZIP Code
03101-1113
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a University of New Hampshire at Manchester Degree Worth It?
Whether University of New Hampshire at Manchester is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $77,500, and graduates see a 2.51% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of New Hampshire at Manchester Cost?
Listed tuition runs $22,605/year at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $13,302.
At University of New Hampshire at Manchester, 32% receive a Pell Grant and 46.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of New Hampshire at Manchester on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of New Hampshire at Manchester Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates report a median income of $66,479, about 64% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of New Hampshire at Manchester. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of New Hampshire at Manchester. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of New Hampshire at Manchester. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
Degree Programs at University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of New Hampshire at Manchester Admissions
University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates earn a moderate median salary of $66,479/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of New Hampshire at Manchester is relatively affordable, around $22,605/year.
32.0% of University of New Hampshire at Manchester students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester's acceptance rate is 87.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of New Hampshire at Manchester students is 3.35, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.05 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.95 or below makes admission tougher at University of New Hampshire at Manchester, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1140, and within the 1030–1250 range, keeps you competitive.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester's deadline is February 1 (Regular Decision), with decisions out by March 31.
University of New Hampshire at Manchester charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2027/03/01 (UNH Undergraduate Admissions). That's University of New Hampshire at Manchester's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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