
Manchester, NHprivate nonprofitanselm.edu
Admit rate has ranged 75%–82% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Saint Anselm College, a Benedictine liberal arts school in Manchester, NH, blends rigorous academics with a tight-knit community. Known for its strong nursing and business programs, the college offers a personalized education where 94% of students live on campus. With a 78% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 85%, it’s a place where students thrive both academically and socially.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Saint Anselm College is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 78% for the 2024 admissions cycle. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1050-1220 on the SAT and 23-28 on the ACT. The average GPA of incoming freshmen is around 3.3. While test scores are considered, they are not required, making the application process accessible to a broader range of students. The college operates on a rolling admissions basis, with a priority deadline of February 1.
Saint Anselm offers over 60 undergraduate majors and three master's programs, with popular choices including Business, Nursing, and Health Professions. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and close faculty mentorship, with small class sizes fostering a collaborative environment. Unique programs like Forensic Science and Classics stand out, alongside a strong liberal arts core. The Princeton Review notes the college's commitment to combining rigorous academics with practical experience.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Saint Anselm is vibrant and community-oriented, with 94% of students living on campus. The Roger and Francine Jean Student Center Complex serves as the social hub, hosting over 80 clubs and organizations. From outdoor activities in New Hampshire’s scenic landscape to exploring nearby Manchester, students enjoy a balanced mix of urban and suburban experiences. The college’s Benedictine values foster a supportive atmosphere, with the Office of Student Affairs playing a central role in campus life.
Saint Anselm boasts strong post-graduation outcomes, with a 85% graduation rate and 99% of alumni employed or in service within a year of graduating. Median earnings for recent graduates are $50,718, and 42% pursue advanced degrees. The college’s emphasis on experiential learning and career readiness pays off, with 80% of employed graduates securing jobs in their field. The four-year graduation rate of 78% ranks in the top 5% nationally.
Tuition at Saint Anselm is $40,844 for students from families earning over $110K, while those below $30K pay around $17,630 after aid. The college meets 97% of demonstrated financial need, with average grant awards of $17,584. Merit scholarships range from $20,000 to $34,000 annually, and 98% of students receive some form of aid. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate out-of-pocket costs, making financial planning transparent.
Saint Anselm’s blend of Benedictine values and academic rigor creates a unique environment where students are both challenged and supported. Its standout programs in Nursing and Business, coupled with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, ensure personalized attention. The college’s strong outcomes—85% graduation rate and 99% employment/service rate—speak to its effectiveness. Add in a lively campus culture and proximity to Boston, and it’s clear why Saint Anselm punches above its weight among New England liberal arts colleges.