Ten NEASC-accredited universities house bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire for “White Mountain State” natives to surmount their media career goals. Founded in 1776, New Hampshire is a historic Northeast gem south of Québec that’s ranked 14th for quality of life by Forbes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tallied 7,450 media-related jobs in New Hampshire that provide median pay of $49,640. Communications grads entering this growing $73 billion economy can excel at Inc 5000 companies like Edge Velocity, Mainstay Technologies, Planet Fitness, The Nagler Group, Body Armor, and RocketDrop. Diverse outlets, such as The Laconia Daily Sun, Danconia Media, WGIR 610AM, Yankee, WEKW Channel 11, and Coldstone Films, need hires too. In fact, News Generation included the huge Boston-Manchester Metro among its top 10 media markets. Here are the 12 undergrad communications schools in New Hampshire that provide an optional climate for artistic growth.
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Colby-Sawyer College
Department of Humanities
Publishing the 16-page Courier biweekly since 1960, Colby-Sawyer College is an independent, coed liberal arts school and Lambda Pi Eta chapter that’s budgeting $64.65 million to educate 1,043 Chargers from 16 nations at its 33-building, Georgian-style campus on Lake Sunapee. CSC was crowned America’s 357th safest college on Niche, 526th top university in Forbes, and 269th best baccalaureate institution by Washington Monthly. Also placed 767th nationally on College Factual, the Department of Humanities accepts $45 applications from freshmen with an average 3.22 GPA for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire.
Communication Studies Major
Chaired by Dr. Thomas Kealy, a Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching winner, Colby-Sawyer’s Communication Studies Major trains students to frame stories through the lens of evolving 21st-century media systems. The 120-credit B.A. currently charges $41,598 yearly for courses like Digital Humanities and Quantitative Literacy with a 100 percent internship rate. Undergrads may also present at Windcrossing, attend The New York Times Conference, broadcast on WSCS 90.9FM, join the Word Order, take the Global Beginnings trip, and minor in Graphic Design.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
541 Main Street
New London, NH
(603) 526-3457
tkealy@colby-sawyer.edu
Franklin Pierce University
Humanities Division
Running the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication for 15 years, Franklin Pierce University is a private, nonprofit five-campus NE-10 member formed by Frank S. DiPietro in 1962 that’s gifting $28 million yearly to 2,381 Ravens in 25 majors from its 1,200 rural acres along Pearly Lake. Franklin Pierce was named America’s 249th most liberal school on Niche, 191st best value by PayScale, and 165th top Peace Corps producer in Washington Monthly. The Humanities Division awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire for 93 percent job placement with ABC, Paramount, The Associated Press, and more.
Major in Communication
Presently priced at $33,900 annually, Franklin Pierce’s Major in Communication immerses freshmen in hands-on learning to analyze the aesthetics of print or digital news coverage. The 42-credit B.A. major directed by Dr. Zan Walker-Goncalves exclusively at Rindge has tracks for Journalism, Media Production, Sports Media, or Social Media and Emergent Technologies. Students could also pledge Lambda Pi Eta, publish The Arrow, attend the Fry Lecture, host WFPC 105.3FM shows, report for FPTV, travel to Amsterdam, and add the Women in Leadership Certificate.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
40 University Drive
Rindge, NH 03461
(603) 899-1012
goncalvesz@franklinpierce.edu
Granite State College
Communications & Media Department
Awarded a $1 million Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Grant, Granite State College is the cheapest public, nontraditional USNH constituent founded in 1972 that’s serving 4,109 students at an average age of 34 with 340 faculty online and beyond its Merrimack County headquarters. GSC was proclaimed America’s 13th best school for adults in Washington Monthly, seventh top online undergrad college by the U.S. News & World Report, and 39th safest campus on Niche. The Communications & Media Department offers the AA/AS Transfer Pathway into one of the most flexible bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire with 73 percent retention.
Communication Studies (B.S.)
Accessible at five campuses or by Moodle, Granite State’s Communication Studies (B.S.) currently bills $9,810 per year for hybrid, transfer-friendly education that strengthens rhetorical strategies to convey knowledge. The 120-credit program advised by Dr. Kimberly Dougherty presents courses like Managing Conflict, Website Development, and The Writing Process with 94 percent satisfaction. Majors might join Alpha Sigma Lambda, deejay for WKXL 103.9FM, visit Scotland, earn the NHDP Fall Fellowship, intern at the Concord Monitor, and minor in Marketing too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
25 Hall Street
Concord, NH 03301
(855) 472-4255
gsc.admissions@granite.edu
Keene State College
School of Arts, Education, and Culture
Presenting the Monadnock International Film Festival in Putnam Theatre each April, Keene State College is northern New England’s sole public, civic-engaged COPLAC member that’s grown a $29.9 million endowment since 1909 to teach 5,443 Owls at its 150-acre “Elm City” home. KSC was lauded America’s 344th top value in Money magazine, 288th best Greek life college on Niche, and 257th best community service school by Washington Monthly. The School of Arts, Education, and Culture currently bills $13,868 to $22,614 yearly for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire ranked 365th nationally on College Factual.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Accepting $50 applications until April 1st, KSC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication capitalizes on the 15:1 student-professor ratio under Dr. Nigel Malcolm to spark engaging discourse about how humans create meaning. The 124-credit, interdisciplinary degree melds courses like Rhetorical Criticism, Feminist Media Theory, and Advertising before the senior project. Other opportunities include joining Debate Club, entering the Zeta Mu Speech Contest, interning at Masiello Group, winning the Emily N. Grier Award, editing The Equinox, visiting Osaka, and running WKNH 91.3FM.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Media Arts Center 121
229 Main Street
Keene, NH 03435
(603) 358-2928
nmalcolm@keene.edu
New England College
Undergraduate On-Campus Division
Partnered with the National Collaborative for Digital Equity in 2013, New England College is a private, nonprofit career-oriented NAC member devoted to “Dura Duranda Alta Petenda” that’s budgeting $53 million to instruct 2,800 Pilgrims in 37 majors with 40+ clubs like Carriage Theatre Ensemble. NEC was deemed America’s 81st best college for ethnic minorities on Niche, 330th top research institute in Washington Monthly, and 25th most diverse school by Time. The Undergraduate On-Campus Division utilizes its 220 acres in Henniker near Pats Peak to deliver another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire with some Blackboard courses.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
At a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, NEC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies develops the critical reflection skills essential for shaping the most meaningful messages that keep audiences informed. The 40-credit major overseen by Dr. Wayne Lesperance, Jr. presently costs $36,754 annually with three emphases: Journalism, Media Studies, or Public Relations & Advertising. Undergrads can also publish the Henniker Review, broadcast on WNEC 91.7FM, intern at McLean Communications, earn the John Stark Scholarship, study abroad in Kenya, and tour Thoreau’s home.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
98 Bridge Street
Henniker, NH 03242
(603) 428-2223
admission@nec.edu
Plymouth State University
Arts & Technologies Cluster
Hosting the NWPNH Young Writers Institute every July, Plymouth State University is a public, residential teaching college with Carnegie’s Community Engagement status that’s blossomed since 1871 to support 6,400 Panthers in seven clusters at its 170-acre USNH campus in the White Mountains. PSU was picked America’s 279th best party school on Niche, 321st top value in The Economist, and 117th coolest college by the Sierra Club. The Arts & Technologies Cluster brings real-world projects into one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire ranked #1 for critical thinking ability by the Wall Street Journal.
BA in Communication Studies
Coordinated by Dr. Annette Holba, the 2013 ECA Everett Lee Hunt Award winner, Plymouth State’s BA in Communication Studies fosters interdisciplinary investigation of the best means to articulate viewpoints. The 120-credit liberal arts degree now bills $11,580 to $20,250 yearly for in-person courses concentrated in Media Studies or Professional Communication. Majors may also write for The Panther Post, operate WPCR 91.7FM, join Democracy Matters, minor in Digital Media Development, volunteer with Best Buddies, venture to Australia, and earn Honors.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Hyde Hall 129A
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 535-2878
aholba@plymouth.edu
Saint Anselm College
English Department
Celebrating the Annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival on April 23rd, Saint Anselm College is a private, nonprofit Benedictine NE-10 school founded in 1889 that’s endowed for $134.6 million to inspire 1,964 Hawks with a mean 3.28 GPA at its 380-acre Goffstown campus near the Piscataquog River. Saint Anselm was declared America’s 106th best liberal arts college by the U.S. News & World Report, eighth happiest school on the Princeton Review, and 276th top value in Forbes. The English Department has 89 percent retention in another of the faith-based bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire ranked 263rd nationally by Niche.
Communication Major
Dedicated to Psalms 111:10, Saint Anselm’s Communication Major draws on Catholic ethics to train eloquent, persuasive speakers capable of responsibly mediating messages to diverse consumers. The 128-credit track headed by Dr. Gary Bouchard ends with a senior thesis after Manchester courses like Oral Interpretation of Literature, Italian Cinema, and Textual Analysis. Students could volunteer via the Meelia Center, engage in the Institute of Politics, intern at WMUR-TV, publish The Crier, summer in Norway, minor in Theatre Arts, and join Debate Society too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH 03102
(603) 641-7092
gbouchar@anselm.edu
Southern New Hampshire University
Liberal Arts Department
Led by the 2018 Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence winner, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, fast-growing nonprofit NHCUC member endowed for $16.7 million that’s training 4,092 Penmen in 200+ majors at its 338-acre Hooksett campus in Forbes’ fifth most educated city. SNHU was chosen America’s 12th most innovative adult college in Washington Monthly, 169th top English school on Niche, and 397th best university by the Social Mobility Index. The Liberal Arts Department froze annual tuition at $30,756 for another of the campus-based bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire with 91.7 percent acceptance.
Communication (BA)
Offering an accelerated three-year option, SNHU’s Communication (BA) keeps an average class size of 20 undergrads seeking the broad oral and written language skills to share their innovative thoughts in any career. The 120-credit curriculum organized by Prof. Tracy Dow leaves 36 free electives after courses like Desktop Publishing, Graphics Layout, and Multimedia Journalism. Majors might also edit the Penmen Press, talk sports on 1620AM, add the Social Media Marketing Certificate online, intern at Fox Network, join Animation Club, and attend Camp Synergy.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
2500 North River Road
Hooksett, NH 03106
(603) 645-9611
admission@snhu.edu
The University of New Hampshire at Manchester
College of Liberal Arts
Gifting $2.2 million in financial aid, including the Harry P. Makris Scholarship, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester is a public, urban USNH member founded in 1985 that’s home to 1,038 Wildcats and 35+ clubs at a 110,000-square-foot Pandora Mill campus in CNN Money’s 13th best city. UNH Manchester was judged America’s 265th top public school on Niche, 234th best liberal arts college in Washington Monthly, and 50th best university by Daily Meal. The College of Liberal Arts partners with the 117-year-old NHIA to award two bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire for $14,780 to $30,150 yearly.
Communication Arts B.A.
Eligible for the Granite Guarantee, UNH Manchester’s Communication Arts B.A. utilizes Parker Media Lab resources to prepare the next generation of storytellers with original production projects. The 128-credit degree chaired by Dr. Jeffrey Klenotic, the 2012 Faculty Scholars Award winner, tailors tracks for Cinema & Media Arts, Advertising & Public Relations, Digital Media, Human Relations, or Media History. Undergrads can also intern at WMUR-TV, join Milling Around, publish The Manchester Independent, exchange to Cambridge, and minor in Creative Writing.
Professional and Technical Communications B.A.
Boasting a PayScale mid-career salary of $85,400, the Professional and Technical Communications B.A. suits UNH students needing the scientific skills to creatively condense complex information. This 128-credit program led by Dr. Susanne Paterson, the 2009 Faculty Excellence Award recipient, blends courses from English Grammar to Document Design. Majors may edit Best American Experimental Writing, intern at the Franco-American Centre, report for the STEM Discovery Lab, join Enactus, attend the Sidore Lecture, and broadcast on WQSO 96.7FM too.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
88 Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 641-4130
unhm.fa@unh.edu
University of New Hampshire
College of Liberal Arts
Equipped with Adobe Creative Cloud in the CMN Media Lab, the University of New Hampshire is the largest public, coed Seacoast research hub founded in 1866 by Benjamin Thompson that’s budgeting $606 million to support 15,340 Wildcats from 70 nations just 60 minutes from Boston. UNH was ranked America’s 38th best undergrad school on Bloomberg, 119th top value in Money magazine, and #1 most sustainable college by the AASHE. The College of Liberal Arts pairs with the College of Health & Human Services to grant two bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire that placed 193rd nationally on Niche for 96 percent job placement.
Communication Major (B.A.)
Currently billing $18,499 to $33,879 per year, UNH’s Communication Major (B.A.) examines patterns and problems in how humans interact to develop pragmatic strategies for fostering better dialogue. The 40-credit, upper-division major directed by Dr. Jennifer Borda mandates minimum 2.0 GPAs in two concentrations: Business Applications or Media Practices. Other opportunities include venturing to Dijon, earning the Gorsky Scholarship, undertaking Hamel Center projects, interning at CBS, writing for The New Hampshire, and riding the WUNH 91.3FM airwaves.
Communication Sciences and Disorders Major (B.S.)
Capping UNH cohorts at 30, the Communication Sciences and Disorders Major (B.S.) redesigned in Fall 2015 challenges freshmen to master the body’s vocal and aural mechanisms for treatment of disabilities. The 58-credit major chaired by Dr. Donald Robin adheres to ASHA certification standards with courses like Neurology, Clinical Phonetics, and Acquisition of Language. Students could also intern at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, minor in Deaf Studies, practice in Hewitt Hall, join the NSSLHA, contribute to the Concussion Project, and serve in Nicaragua.
Accreditation
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Horton Center B10
20 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-2292
admissions@unh.edu
Following the footsteps of published fellow New Hampshirites J.D. Salinger, Celia Thaxter, E.E. Cummings, and Jodi Picoult now is smart because U.S. media jobs are poised for 6 percent growth through 2026. Attending any of these bachelor’s in communications programs in New Hampshire will help craft a résumé that employers desire.