Learning

Manchester is also well-resourced in terms of higher education opportunities, with a wide range of institutions offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and specialty degrees and certifications. The City is home to Saint Anselm College, Franklin Pierce University at Manchester, Granite State College, Institute of Art and Design at New England College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), Manchester Community College, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, and Southern New Hampshire University - Online and Continuing Education, one one of the nation’s top distance learning universities.

More students than ever are choosing online distance learning to obtain degrees and certifications. According to a Educationdata.org, one-third of all college students in 2017 took at least one on-line course. Though the switch to exclusively on-line instruction has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, millions of Americans were already enrolled in on-line only programs. Distance learning offers flexibility and reduced costs compared to a traditional degree program. Interestingly, many students are choosing a local university for their

“distance” studies, so that they have the option to take some courses on campus or utilize other university resources in person, while still reaping the benefits of the online model.

The City is served by the Manchester School District, which manages fourteen elementary (K-5), four middle (6-8), and four high schools (9-12) across the community. Southern New Hampshire University is one of the nation’s top distance learning universities. Serving students around the world, SNHU is a significant employer with nearly 2,000 employees occupying administrative office space in SNHU’s facilities in downtown Manchester. Manchester area colleges play an important role in the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the region. Our institutions of higher learning educate over 15,500 students in our region annually. The colleges are a vital asset to the economic climate. They provide an educated workforce and are significant contributors to the cultural life of the area. Greater Manchester’s students represent diverse ages and ethnic backgrounds, which enhances the appeal of the region. Ranked as one of the “coolest” college towns in New England by Campus News and one of the “Top Ten Places with the Most Job Opportunities Per Capita,” Manchester is a wonderful city in which to complete or continue your education.

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, featured in Forbes Magazine’s article about the university that has a student enrollment approaching 150,000, is credited with revitalizing the “dying institution” with affordable online courses. Targeting working adults, SNHU offers over 200 degree programs.