New Hampshire ranks last in the nation for public higher education funding, according to a new analysis.The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute said that the recently approved state budget could further reduce spending on public higher education.”With that reduction, we’re likely to see an even wider gap in spending growth for New Hampshire compared to other states,” said Nicole Heller, senior policy analyst for the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.Some of the key findings of the analysis are that New Hampshire allocates just over $4,600 toward each full-time student, the lowest in the country in 2024. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“Whereas the national average was $11,700 per student,” Heller said. “New Hampshire is also falling behind in our growth in spending. Between 2024 and 2025, New Hampshire spending went down 3.9%, while the national average actually went up 4.3%.”Heller said the state’s low spending on higher education could affect university tuition, enrollment and the state economy.Kim DeRego, vice provost of enrollment management at the University of New Hampshire, said 13% of students who did not enroll at UNH cited state budget cuts or funding cuts as the reason why.”Of course, we want every single lever that we have to be as robust as possible,” DeRego said. “But we do understand that it’s a difficult time for funding in a lot of different areas, and we want to do the best for students and give them the most opportunity that we possibly can.”Heller said the institute hopes the report will start a conversation about allocating more state funding toward education to bring spending rates closer to the national average.DeRego said UNH is working with families to make sure they have access to public higher education in the state.
New Hampshire ranks last in the nation for public higher education funding, according to a new analysis.
The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute said that the recently approved state budget could further reduce spending on public higher education.
“With that reduction, we’re likely to see an even wider gap in spending growth for New Hampshire compared to other states,” said Nicole Heller, senior policy analyst for the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.
Some of the key findings of the analysis are that New Hampshire allocates just over $4,600 toward each full-time student, the lowest in the country in 2024.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“Whereas the national average was $11,700 per student,” Heller said. “New Hampshire is also falling behind in our growth in spending. Between 2024 and 2025, New Hampshire spending went down 3.9%, while the national average actually went up 4.3%.”
Heller said the state’s low spending on higher education could affect university tuition, enrollment and the state economy.
Kim DeRego, vice provost of enrollment management at the University of New Hampshire, said 13% of students who did not enroll at UNH cited state budget cuts or funding cuts as the reason why.
“Of course, we want every single lever that we have to be as robust as possible,” DeRego said. “But we do understand that it’s a difficult time for funding in a lot of different areas, and we want to do the best for students and give them the most opportunity that we possibly can.”
Heller said the institute hopes the report will start a conversation about allocating more state funding toward education to bring spending rates closer to the national average.
DeRego said UNH is working with families to make sure they have access to public higher education in the state.
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