New Hampshire NP Programs at a Glance
| State practice authority | Full Practice Authority – NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently |
| New Hampshire Board of Nursing | New Hampshire Board of Nursing |
| New Hampshire median NP wage | ~$125,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See New Hampshire state OES tables for current detail. |
| National median NP wage | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Projected NP job growth | 46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions |
| Primary accreditors | CCNE · ACEN |
| Common NP specialty tracks | FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP |
| Typical program length | 2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN |
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. Program accreditation is verified against the CCNE program directory and ACEN directory. New Hampshire licensure information is verified against the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics New Hampshire data. Read our full editorial standards.
2026 Updates for New Hampshire NP Programs
- New Hampshire practice authority. New Hampshire is a Full Practice Authority state. Licensed nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications independently of physician supervision. New Hampshire is one of 27 states + DC granting full NP autonomy under state law.
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; New Hampshire-specific data is published in the New Hampshire state OES tables.
- Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in New Hampshire.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
- PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.
According to the New Hampshire Employment Security, nurse practitioners will enjoy a significant employment demand of 50.7% from 2022-2032. This is due to the shortage of physicians in the state, whose some responsibilities may be performed by NPs.
Apart from the high demand, NPs in New Hampshire (NH) are also given generous compensation. According to Indeed, NH NPs earn an average of $160,407 a year — with some high earners getting paid as much as $275,334 yearly.
If you’re a nurse who’s looking for an in-demand career with satisfying wages, then be sure to start looking into these NH NP programs:
Applicants can choose from any of the 29 MHA degrees offered by Florida-based institutions. Many of them have in-person and online learning modalities, such as:
Rivier University
- Nashua, Hampshire
Program Overview:
ACEN-accredited Rivier University offers three online MSN tracks for aspiring nurse practitioners. These are open to ASN nurses, BSN nurses, and even students with a non-nursing BS. Course lengths run for 14 weeks, with students required to complete online coursework plus several days on campus.
The MSN-AGACNP track runs for 48-54 credit hours and may be finished in 3.5-5 years. The FNP program requires 48-54 credit hours, which may be completed in 3–5 years. The PMHNP program, which has a program length dependent on the entry path, requires 45-51 credit hours.
The post-masters programs for AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP run for 3–6 semesters. Credit hour requirements range from 19-43, depending on the applicant’s level of education.
From 2021-2023, Rivier FNP students who took the ANCC exam garnered an average first-time pass rate of 95.83%. This is markedly above the average ANCC first-time passing rate of 85.66%.
PMHNP students from the 2021-2023 Rivier cohort, meanwhile, scored a first-time average passing rate of 97.06%. The ANCC average for first-timers is 89.82%.
Rivier University has been named the top Nursing school in NH by Nursing Schools Almanac. Nurseonline.com, on the other hand, has recognized Rivier’s online MSN program as the sixth-best in the country.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, New Hampshire
Program Overview:
SNHU’s CCNE-accredited online nursing degrees were first launched in the 2010s. Now, the university is a top choice for aspiring nurses, especially those who want to become FNPs.
SNHU’s MSN-FNP program consists of 51 credits or 17 courses total. Terms run for 10 weeks each for flexibility. While courses are mostly delivered online, students will need to attend a multi-day simulation and assessment experience at the campus.
Full-time students may finish the FNP program in 2 years, while part-timers may do so in 3.5 years.
Interested parties need not submit test scores and college essays to be considered. Applying to the school is also free of charge.
University of New Hampshire
- Durham, New Hampshire
Program Overview:
The University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services offers a variety of options for aspiring nurse practitioners.
UNH’s Master’s level clinical nursing track is open to nurses who wish to become AGACNPs, FNPs, or PMHNPs. All are offered online.
The MSN-AGACNP program is a 46-credit program that may be completed in 24 months. The FNP program has a total of 52 credit hours that may be finished in 27 months. The PMHNP track, which has a curriculum requirement of up to 50 credits, is the longest to complete at 30 months.
The DNP program, meanwhile, is an option for BSN-educated nurses who wish to complete a terminal degree. The AGACNP track is a 76-credit-hour program while the PMHNP track requires 80 credits. Both come with a customizable program length. The 80-credit FNP track, meanwhile, can be completed in 4 years.
APRNs who wish to specialize in another field may do so with UNH’s post-masters graduate certificate programs. The same tracks are offered: AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP. Credit hour requirements range from 25-29. Depending on the program, students may complete the course in 12-17 months.
The CCNE-accredited university is recognized as the top 56 MSN school and the top 90 DNP school by the US News & World Report.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in New Hampshire
Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the New Hampshire Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. New Hampshire MSN-NP options are anchored by the University of New Hampshire (Durham), with Rivier University (Nashua) and Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester / online) running hybrid and online-forward MSN-FNP tracks.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)
For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University and Rivier University both offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 4 New Hampshire schools offer a DNP program — see the full New Hampshire DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)
For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. New Hampshire post-master’s certificate options are concentrated at the University of New Hampshire. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. New Hampshire’s direct-entry option is the University of New Hampshire’s Master of Nursing entry pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s holders. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.
Fast & Affordable New Hampshire NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll New Hampshire residents.
Fastest New Hampshire NP Programs
- Southern New Hampshire University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple intakes per year; accelerated track for working RNs across New England.
- Rivier University — MSN-FNP: Nashua-based hybrid delivery; 24-month accelerated path.
- University of New Hampshire — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a New Hampshire specialty.
Most Affordable New Hampshire NP Programs (In-State Tuition)
- University of New Hampshire — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition with strong NH clinical pipeline; nationally-respected nursing school.
- Southern New Hampshire University — Online MSN-FNP: Competitive online tuition with year-round enrollment.
- Rivier University — MSN-FNP: Catholic university in Nashua with competitive total cost.
New Hampshire Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps New Hampshire NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most New Hampshire schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 4 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in New Hampshire. All 3 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.
- Rivier University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of New Hampshire
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in New Hampshire
Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 4 New Hampshire schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated New Hampshire DNP programs guide for admissions detail.
- University of New Hampshire
- Colby‑Sawyer College
- Rivier University
- University of Southern Maine
Nurse Practitioner Programs in New Hampshire by City & Region
New Hampshire’s 3 featured NP schools cluster around the Manchester-Nashua-Durham corridor. UNH anchors the seacoast/Durham region; Rivier and SNHU serve the Greater Manchester market with hybrid and online delivery.
Seacoast / Durham
- University of New Hampshire — Durham
Greater Manchester / Nashua
- Rivier University — Nashua
- Southern New Hampshire University — Manchester HQ / online
