Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Plymouth State University #936 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,593 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Plymouth State University in the 34.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #686 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for its student population. --- Plymouth State University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars, with particular strength in mobility outcomes. The university's graduates earn about $5,593 less than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating consistent value relative to peer institutions.
Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #936 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Plymouth, NH, Plymouth State University enrolls roughly 3,153 undergraduates. Retention stands at 68.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 52.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Plymouth State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #994 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,351, and Plymouth State University sits in the 34.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Business, which aligns with strong regional labor-market demand and supports the earnings outcomes that drive the composite ranking. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Plymouth State University sits in the 39.5 percentile for access and the 44.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 28.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 27.0% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student population with meaningful financial need. Mobility outcomes, measured by how well low-income graduates fare in the labor market, sit in the 53.7 percentile. For many families in NH, Plymouth State University offers a tuition-efficient path to a degree backed by solid long-term earnings, though cost and access considerations remain important factors in the overall value picture.
Plymouth State University's published cost of attendance is $29,644. Net price varies meaningfully across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,676, middle-income families pay around $17,030, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,020. Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #786 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,431; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,351, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Plymouth State University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related applied fields who want a public university experience in NH. The university's program mix leans heavily toward Business, which represents 23% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,351, placing Plymouth State University in the 32.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,593 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 34.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 27.0% are first-generation. These students graduate at rates comparable to their peers, with a Pell completion rate of 48.0%. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 87.5% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over STEM or liberal arts. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong outcomes in NH's regional labor market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Plymouth State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Plymouth State University's published cost of attendance is $29,644. Net price varies meaningfully across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,676, middle-income families pay around $17,030, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,020.
Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #786 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,431; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,351, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Plymouth State University earn median 4-year earnings of $57,351, placing Plymouth State University in the 32.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,593 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Plymouth State University in the 34.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Plymouth State University #994 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect a student body that enters the workforce with competitive early-career earnings and continues to build financial security over the first decade after graduation.
The earnings pattern is anchored in Business, which represents the institution's largest degree concentration. Business/Commerce, General is the highest-aggregate-return major, with 75 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $67,069, performing at 1.0x the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field.
Among the most popular programs, Teacher Education enrolls 72 graduates earning $44,048, while The Criminal Justice program graduates 70 students earning $59,937. Digital Marketing and Kinesiology round out the top five, with 4-year earnings of $76,631 and $55,452 respectively.
This program lineup supports steady early-career earnings and reflects the institution's focus on fields with direct labor-market pathways in the NH region and beyond.
Computer Science
19 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
28 graduates
Marketing
47 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
20 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
8 graduates
Plymouth State University's program mix centers on Business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional public-university identity. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 75 graduates annually, followed by Teacher Education, Criminal Justice, Digital Marketing, and Kinesiology.
Across 32 total programs serving roughly 756 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor markets. The strongest earnings performers include Nursing, where graduates earn median earnings of $85,709 four years after enrollment, and Digital Marketing, with graduates earning $76,631.
Business/Commerce, General graduates earn $67,069, while Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies round out the institution's highest-earning program cluster with earnings of $59,937 and $55,773 respectively. Among the most popular fields, Business/Commerce, General graduates earn $67,069, Teacher Education earn $44,048, and Criminal Justice earn $59,937, demonstrating that the institution's largest programs deliver competitive early-career outcomes.
The program portfolio reflects a balance across Business (representing 23% of graduates), Education (representing 11%), and Arts (representing 4%), positioning Plymouth State University as a regionally focused institution with strength in applied fields that connect directly to local and regional labor markets. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with workforce demand in the Northeast.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Concord University Similar quality tier (#28138 ranked) | WV | 93% | $42,703 | #28138 | Compare |
Christopher Newport University Similar quality tier (#28143 ranked) | VA | 86% | $60,509 | #28143 | Compare |
Kentucky State University Similar quality tier (#28148 ranked) | KY | 96% | $36,382 | #28148 | Compare |
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28153 ranked) | NY | 84% | $45,030 | #28153 | Compare |
Keene State College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#27595 ranked) | NH | 90% | $54,368 | #27595 | Compare |
