As it is situated in the heart of New England, the state of New Hampshire might be tiny in terms of area but it has plenty of higher education options for students to choose from. Within its 9,300 square miles, there are 23 different colleges and universities, all of which are accredited institutions of higher learning that offer two-year, four-year and graduate-level degrees. In addition to the universities that operate in New Hampshire, four out-of-state universities have extension locations in this state.
The University System of New Hampshire manages the five public universities in the state, making it the largest provider of higher education in the state of New Hampshire. More than 15,000 students attend the University of New Hampshire, which is the flagship campus of the system. Its central campus is located in Durham, but there also is an extension campus located in Manchester. The University of New Hampshire stands out because it is a land, sea and space grant institution, and is only one of 9 other universities who have that unique distinction. The university has long been known for its academic programs, and has even been hailed as one of the most sustainable universities in the country. Some famous graduates from the University of New Hampshire include New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, actor James Broderick and Pulitzer Prize Winner Barbara Walsh. Other universities included in the University System of New Hampshire are Plymouth State University, Keene State College and Granite State College.
New Hampshire is also home to an Ivy League school, Dartmouth College. The Ivy League is likely known as the most prestigious set of universities in the country, all of them private schools and the majority of them located in New England. Dartmouth College is a private research university, and its campus is located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dartmouth was one of the nine Colonial Colleges that was founded before the American Revolution began. It was later established in 1769. It is an intimate school with an enrollment of just more than 4,000 students. It is the smallest campus in the Ivy League. The campus is located in a rural area of New Hampshire, providing a brotherhood to many of the students who attend there. Participation in athletics is high, as is the participation in Greek Life. Tradition is an important part of campus life at Dartmouth, and students take these traditions seriously.