New Hampshire
Rank #50
In-state tuition$18,000
Out-of-state$36,090
4-year sticker$72,000
All states
2025-26
New Hampshire vs Maine College Cost
Maine has lower in-state tuition by $5,210/yr.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2025-26
New Hampshire vs Maine side by side
Maine
Rank #33
In-state tuition$12,790
Out-of-state$32,860
4-year sticker$51,160
Maine has lower in-state tuition
$5,210 per year cheaper ($20,840 over 4 years, tuition only). Net price after financial aid may differ—use college net price calculators for personalized estimates.
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Public college tuition, out-of-state premiums, and 529 benefits.
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Key takeaways — college cost comparison
- Maine has lower in-state tuition by $5,210/yr ($20,840 over 4 years). New Hampshire: $18,000. Maine: $12,790.
- New Hampshire ranks #50 nationally; Maine ranks #33 (lowest = #1).
- Out-of-state differs by $3,230/yr.
- Room & board (US avg $13,900/yr) is not included in tuition figures.
- Both states may offer 529 plan tax benefits. Check /529-calculator for deduction/credit details.
- Net price after aid is typically lower than sticker. Use college net price calculators.
New Hampshire vs Maine: in-state tuition comparison
Maine has lower in-state tuition: $12,790/yr (rank #33) vs $18,000/yr (rank #50) in New Hampshire. That's a $5,210 annual gap, or $20,840 over 4 years (tuition only, before aid).
Room & board is not included. Add US average room & board ($13,900/yr) to estimate COA: New Hampshire ≈ $31,900/yr; Maine ≈ $26,690/yr.
These are sticker prices from College Board. Net price after federal Pell Grants, state aid, institutional scholarships, and merit awards is typically much lower. Use college net price calculators for personalized estimates.
Out-of-state tuition: New Hampshire vs Maine
New Hampshire out-of-state: $36,090/yr (premium +$18,090). Maine: $32,860/yr (premium +$20,070). Difference: $3,230/yr, or $12,920 over 4 years.
Out-of-state premiums fund the portion of costs not subsidized by state taxpayers. Students from neighboring states sometimes qualify for regional tuition exchange programs that reduce or waive the premium.
Community college costs in New Hampshire and Maine
New Hampshire public 2-year in-district: $7,547/yr. Maine: $4,156/yr. Starting at community college and transferring after 2 years cuts total 4-year costs significantly.
Many students complete general education requirements at community college and transfer to a 4-year institution with junior standing, saving tens of thousands in tuition. Verify transfer pathways and articulation agreements with your target 4-year school.
529 plan tax benefits: New Hampshire vs Maine
Both New Hampshire and Maine residents can open 529 college savings plans. State tax benefits vary: some states offer unlimited deductions, others cap deductions at $1,000–$10,000/yr, and a few offer flat tax credits instead of deductions.
Use our /529-calculator to compare New Hampshire (NH) and Maine (ME) tax savings, project account growth at different return rates, and evaluate superfunding (5-year lump sum) vs annual contributions.
529 plans offer federal tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses: tuition, fees, room, board, books, computers, and K-12 tuition (up to $10,000/yr). Some states also allow 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers under SECURE 2.0 Act rules.
Who this comparison helps
- Families comparing New Hampshire and Maine for college relocation decisions.
- High school students weighing in-state vs out-of-state tuition in New Hampshire or Maine.
- 529 savers in New Hampshire or Maine setting contribution targets based on tuition trends.
- Guidance counselors comparing public college affordability across state lines.
When to use other tools
- You need net price after aid (use college net price calculators, not sticker price).
- You're comparing private college costs (this comparison covers public 4-year and 2-year only).
- You need current tuition at a specific campus (flagship and regional costs vary).
- You're filing residency appeals (consult institution-specific domicile policies).
College cost comparison checklist
- Compare in-state tuition: New Hampshire $18,000 vs Maine $12,790.
- Out-of-state: New Hampshire $36,090 vs Maine $32,860.
- Four-year sticker: New Hampshire $72,000 vs Maine $51,160 (tuition only).
- Add room & board ($13,900/yr) for estimated COA.
- Check 529 plan tax benefits in New Hampshire and Maine using /529-calculator.
- Explore state financial aid programs (grants, merit scholarships, promise programs).
- Use college net price calculators for personalized aid estimates.
New Hampshire vs Maine college cost FAQs
Maine has lower public 4-year in-state tuition by $5,210 per year. New Hampshire: $18,000/yr in-state (rank #50). Maine: $12,790/yr in-state (rank #33). Out-of-state tuition differs by $3,230/year.
New Hampshire out-of-state averages $36,090/yr, and Maine averages $32,860/yr—a $3,230 gap. Out-of-state premiums: New Hampshire +$18,090, Maine +$20,070.
Four years of sticker tuition (no room & board): New Hampshire ≈ $72,000 in-state, Maine ≈ $51,160 in-state. Add room & board (US avg $13,900/yr) for estimated COA.
Both states may offer 529 plan tax benefits. Check our /529-calculator for state-by-state deduction/credit details. New Hampshire: NH. Maine: ME.
No. These are published sticker tuition and fees for public 4-year in-state and out-of-state. Net price after grants, scholarships, and state aid is typically lower. Local flagship and regional campus costs also vary.
New Hampshire public 2-year in-district: $7,547/yr. Maine: $4,156/yr (tuition + fees, no room/board).
Most state financial aid programs are limited to residents attending in-state public institutions. A few states (e.g., DC TAG) allow portability. Check your home state's higher education agency for out-of-state eligibility rules.
No. You can keep your existing 529 plan or roll it over to another state's plan. You may lose state tax benefits if you move, but federal tax-free growth and withdrawals remain. Consult a tax advisor for your situation.
Maine has lower in-state tuition ($5,210/yr), but net price after aid may differ. Compare state financial aid programs, 529 tax benefits, and institutional aid packages using college net price calculators.