Nursing Programs in Manchester, NH

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Manchester

Rankings serve as a vital tool for prospective nursing students, allowing them to compare programs based on objective outcomes. For our Best Nursing Schools in Manchester list, Registerednursing.org has analyzed nursing program performance using NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion. By focusing on this key metric, we help you identify schools that effectively prepare graduates for licensure. https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

In 2022, the average pass rate for Manchester nursing programs was 88.84%, demonstrating consistent preparation of students for licensure.

• 2022 average pass rate: 88.84%

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

BSN programs led with a 94.59% average pass rate, followed by ADN programs at 87.74% and MSN programs at 87.5%. This data highlights the strong performance of bachelor's degree programs in the Manchester region on the NCLEX.

• BSN: 94.59% pass rate
• ADN: 87.74% pass rate
• MSN: 87.5% pass rate

#1

Saint Anselm College

Manchester, NH - Private 4-year - anselm.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Nursing B.S. at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH is a highly selective program that blends rigorous academics with hands-on clinical experience. Students gain essential skills in anatomy, microbiology, and professional nursing, supported by state-of-the-art simulation labs featuring advanced patient simulators. Clinical rotations begin spring of sophomore year, with a low 7:1 student-to-instructor ratio. A unique preceptorship of 195 hours allows for one-on-one mentoring in hospitals across New England. The program also offers a Spanish minor tailored for nurses and a global seminar with a clinical rotation in Costa Rica. Graduates are prepared for careers in top hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess, and many pursue advanced degrees at schools like Boston College and Yale. With a focus on empathy and leadership, Saint Anselm nursing students become compassionate healthcare leaders.

• 195 clinical hours
• Clinicals start spring sophomore year
• Student to instructor clinical ratio 7:1
• Spanish minor for nursing majors
• Global clinical rotation in Costa Rica
• Simulation labs with advanced patient simulators
• Preceptorship in New England states
• Recent employer: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Graduate school: Boston College

#2

University of New Hampshire

Durham, NH - Public 4-Year - unh.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing Major (B.S.)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of New Hampshire is a comprehensive four-year program that prepares students for registered nursing practice. The curriculum integrates biological and social sciences with nursing theory, emphasizing evidence-based care, critical thinking, and patient-centered approaches. Students complete clinical placements in acute care, community health, mental health, and more, gaining hands-on experience in diverse settings. The program features a state-of-the-art simulation center for high-fidelity practice and a senior capstone that transitions students into professional roles. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and are prepared for careers as clinical nurses, nurse educators, or community health specialists. The program is accredited by the CCNE and offers options for honors study, research, and study abroad. Faculty serve as mentors, fostering a supportive learning environment. Part-time enrollment is available.

• CCNE accredited
• 4-Year program
• 128 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Capstone required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Innovative nursing lab

#3

Nashua Community College

Nashua, NH - Public 2-Year - nashuacc.edu

Associate - Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Nashua Community College's Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program prepares students for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. The curriculum combines classroom theory with hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art simulation lab and clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. Students build a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing care across the lifespan. Small cohorts of 32 ensure personalized attention from experienced faculty. The program includes a capstone project that develops leadership and community health skills. Graduates consistently achieve high NCLEX pass rates and are prepared for diverse settings such as emergency rooms, ICUs, and pediatrics. Transfer agreements with four-year universities allow seamless advancement to a BSN. With a focus on evidence-based practice and collaborative teamwork, NCC's ASN program is a solid start for aspiring nurses.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 69 total credit hours
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Small class size of 32 students
• State-of-the-art simulation lab
• Diverse career settings: ER, ICU, pediatrics

#4

NHTI-Concord's Community College

Concord, NH - Public 2-Year - nhti.edu

Associate - Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

NHTI-Concord's Community College offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) that prepares students for entry-level registered nurse roles. The full-time, four-semester curriculum blends nursing theory, simulation lab, and clinical instruction, covering anatomy, physiology, and nursing courses. Students gain hands-on experience at clinical sites like Concord Hospital. Graduates take the NCLEX-RN, and first-time pass rates exceed national averages. The program offers RN to BSN articulation agreements for seamless transfer. Admission requires a TEAS score of 66% or higher, two references, and prerequisite courses. NHTI's program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

• ACEN, New Hampshire Board of Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 4-Semester program
• Complete in full-time, four-semester curriculum
• Apply by 2026-02-01
• Full-time enrollment
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)

#5

Rivier University

Nashua, NH - Private 4-year - rivier.edu

Associate - A.S. in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Rivier University's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program prepares you for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, combining classroom theory with extensive hands-on clinical experience. You'll learn to provide patient-centered care, utilize technology for clinical decision-making, and develop critical thinking and communication skills. The program features evening classes and evening or weekend clinical rotations, allowing you to work while you study. State-of-the-art simulation labs, renovated in 2022, offer real-world practice in medical/surgical, pediatric, and telehealth settings. Clinical partnerships with leading hospitals like Lowell General Hospital and Catholic Medical Center provide diverse placement opportunities. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and pursue careers in acute care, extended care, school nursing, and public health. Rivier is ranked the #1 nursing school in New Hampshire by Nursing Schools Almanac and is ACEN accredited.

• ACEN accredited
• 5-Semester program
• 42 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-06-15
• Full-time and part-time options
• 86% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Evening classes and weekend clinical rotations
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• Clinical partnerships with major hospitals

*Citation: IPEDS 2025, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. DOE.

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Manchester, NH

The first step to begin a career as an RN is an entry-level training program that teaches the fundamentals of nursing practice and prepares students for the NCLEX certification exam. In the Manchester area, there are associate’s degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, as well as accelerated programs designed for experienced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to expand their skills and become RNs. Whichever program you choose, these entry-level programs will prepare you for your first job as an RN.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are skilled at providing basic care to patients including feeding and dressing, taking vital signs and sanitizing patient rooms. Many LPNs use their experience as practical nurses as a jumping-off point to a career as an RN, which offers additional job opportunities and higher pay. LPN to RN bridge programs provide a pathway for experienced LPNs to earn their associate’s degree and prepare for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Manchester Community College allows LPNs to enter an accelerated ADN program that helps them attain their associate’s degree in a shorter amount of time than the traditional program.

ADN Programs

Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs teach aspiring nurses without prior professional experience about the fundamentals of nursing practice via classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice hours. ADN programs include coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology and nursing skills and are generally completed in around two years. Manchester Community College offers a 70-credit hour ADN program that is designed to be completed in two years of study.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are becoming more desirable to top hospitals and healthcare employers, as research shows that nurses with bachelor’s degrees improve patient outcomes. BSN programs are generally four-year degree programs that include additional coursework beyond what is offered in an associate’s degree program including nursing research, public health/community nursing, pediatric and maternal/newborn nursing, and critical care nursing. St. Anselm College in Manchester offers a four-year BSN program that prepares nurses for the NCLEX licensing exam.

Find out more about Accelerated BSN Programs.

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Another option for entering the nursing profession is a direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing program. These programs are designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject who would like to become an advanced practice nurse. The University of New Hampshire offers one of these academically rigorous programs, which prepares students for careers as Clinical Nurse Leaders. An accelerated, full-time five-semester program, the direct-entry MSN program at the University of New Hampshire includes a clinical immersion experience with 300 clinical practice hours and a capstone project that includes 200 clinical hours.

Find out more about New Hampshire Accelerated MSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Manchester, NH

Many nurses with their associate’s degree decide to go back to school to earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree, which opens the door to additional career opportunities and higher pay. For these nurses, specialized bridge programs are designed to build upon their existing nursing education and experience to help them earn a higher degree in a shorter timeframe. Many of these programs are available on flexible schedules or in an online format, which allows nurses to continue working while taking classes.

RN to BSN Programs

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online RN to BSN program that provides 45 credits for an unencumbered RN license and the opportunity to transfer an additional 45 additional credits. Students can take courses online as their schedules allow, with the opportunity to complete the program in as little as one year of full-time study.

Find out more about New Hampshire RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

For nurses who are interested in pursuing a leadership position in nursing, such as a nurse practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader or nurse educator position, a master’s degree is a necessary next step. For nurses with an ADN RN to MSN programs provide a pathway from the associate’s degree to a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. The RN to MSN program at Southern New Hampshire University allows AND-educated nurses to earn their BSN and then MSN in a shorter time-frame, saving students up to 20 weeks of study and tuition.

Find out more about New Hampshire RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Manchester, NH

Advanced practice nursing degrees provide nurses with a competitive edge, the opportunity for a wider range of career opportunities and higher salaries. Nurses with master’s degrees and higher go on to become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, nurse educators and administrators earning salaries much higher than their ADN and BSN-educated counterparts. Because APRN programs are designed for experienced working RNs, often these programs are available on a part-time basis or in an online format, which offers RNs the flexibility to complete their degree while continuing to work.

MSN Programs

The traditional MSN program at Franklin Pierce University offers two professional concentrations for nursing students to choose from: a nursing education track and a nursing leadership track. Designed with working nurses in mind, the coursework of these programs, which includes clinical research, legal and ethical issues, teaching theories and leadership principles, presents concepts in practical terms so they can be applied in the workplace immediately.

Find out more about New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificate programs are designed for RNs with master’s degrees who wish to learn a new nursing specialty and/or change degree pathways. Many of these programs are also available on a part-time basis or in an online format to accommodate working nurses. For example, the post-master’s certificate program in Patient Safety & Quality program at Southern New Hampshire University is an online 12-credit hour program designed to teach nurses strategies for improving patient safety and quality policies and practices.

Find out more about New Hampshire Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are terminal degrees in nursing that prepare RNs with their master’s degrees for leadership positions in nursing practice. The DNP program at the University of New Hampshire allows students to complete readings and coursework on their own schedules in a fully online format that is designed to be completed in 18 – 28 months of study.

Find out more about New Hampshire DNP Programs.