Compare costs, outcomes, and program details for every state-approved LNA/CNA program in NH.
Community college programs can cost under $2,000, while hospital-sponsored training often runs higher but provides immediate clinical immersion. These are two distinct entry points into New Hampshire’s nursing workforce, where CNAs are officially titled Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs). With a limited pool of state-approved programs, picking the right one carries weight.
Beyond cost, pass rates on the state competency exam and the quality of clinical placements vary broadly. Employers increasingly favor graduates from programs with strong local healthcare partnerships and verified exam success, making program research essential before enrolling.
Our 2026 rankings emphasize affordability and return on investment, weighing net price, financial aid metrics, and graduation outcomes heavily. We also factor in median alumni earnings and the flexibility of program delivery. Data is drawn from federal institutional records, graduate earnings databases, and independent research.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | River Valley Community College | Claremont, NH | $15,000/yr (net price) | Dartmouth Health paid pathway candidates | |
River Valley Community College in Claremont offers a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) program with a standout paid training pathway through Dartmouth Health, allowing select students to train at no cost as employees. The program holds ACEN accreditation and NH Board of Nursing approval, and runs on a rotating schedule at campuses in Claremont, Keene, and Lebanon. With a net price of $14,804 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 21.9%, the school serves a high proportion of Pell Grant recipients (64.5%), and graduates report median earnings of $44,700 a decade out. A free BLS CPR course and flexible readiness assessments further reduce barriers for aspiring nursing assistants.
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| #2 | White Mountains Community College | Berlin, NH | $7,000 – $15,000/yr | Low-debt candidates seeking strong completion rates | |
White Mountains Community College in Berlin delivers a 120-plus-hour Licensed Nursing Assistant program emphasizing professionalism, infection prevention, and home care skills. With an institution-wide graduation rate of 61.8% and a retention rate of 84%, the college demonstrates strong student outcomes. The net price is $15,474, median graduate debt is a low $11,000, and 72.3% of students receive Pell Grants. Graduates’ median earnings are $35,037. The program provides a direct pathway to LNA exam eligibility and advanced nursing roles.
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| #3 | Manchester Community College | Manchester, NH | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | Hybrid learners balancing work and study | |
Manchester Community College offers a hybrid Licensed Nursing Assistant certificate through its Workforce Development Center, combining online coursework with in-person training. The institution reports a 41.3% graduation rate and a 61% retention rate. Net price is $14,143, and graduates earn a median of $49,063, the highest among this group. With 61.1% Pell Grant recipients, the college supports many low-income students. The flexible format suits career changers and working adults seeking quick entry into healthcare.
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| #4 | Great Bay Community College | Portsmouth, NH | $16,000/yr (net price) | ||
Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth runs a six-week intensive Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) Training Program approved by the NH Board of Nursing. The curriculum focuses on direct patient care, infection control, safety, and body mechanics. With an institution-wide graduation rate of 33.5% and retention rate of 66%, the school has a net price of $15,768 and a median graduate debt of $13,828. Median alumni earnings reach $42,397. The compressed schedule appeals to those needing rapid entry into the healthcare workforce.
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New Hampshire uses the title Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), which is functionally the same as the CNA role in other states. The path to certification follows a state-defined sequence of training, examination, and registry listing.
Admission to New Hampshire CNA programs is accessible, though applicants should expect some standardized prerequisites along with program-specific criteria.
Many CNA programs in New Hampshire offer rolling admissions with new cohorts starting every few weeks. Community colleges may have set semester start dates, while private training centers provide more flexible enrollment. Great Bay Community College runs multiple sessions per year, each with its own deadline. Because placement testing or prerequisite completion can affect registration, planning ahead is wise; seats often fill quickly.
Some healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. These programs may cover tuition, books, and exam fees but typically require you to work for the employer for a set period (e.g., six months to a year). Additional requirements might include passing the facility's pre-employment screening and agreeing to specific shift schedules. Review the contract carefully before accepting.
To become a Licensed Nursing Assistant in New Hampshire, you must complete a state-approved 100-hour training program (including 16 hours of pre-direct care instruction)6, pass a competency evaluation with written/oral and skills components6, and clear a fingerprint-based background check6. The licensure application fee is $286. These represent the minimums; individual programs may add their own prerequisites as described above.
CNA program costs in New Hampshire range widely, from under $2,000 at some community colleges and hospital-based programs to over $15,000 when considering full-time in-state tuition and fees at public two-year schools. Your actual cost depends heavily on the type of program, any financial aid you receive, and whether an employer covers the training.
The total price tag for a CNA program varies by institution. At Manchester Community College, in-state tuition runs $7,090 per year, while out-of-state students pay $15,340. However, CNA certificates are often shorter and less expensive than a full year of study. For example, River Valley Community College advertises a total program cost of $1,900 for its Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) certificate. Similarly, the hospital-based St. Joseph School of Nursing program charges $1,782 for seven weeks of training. When comparing schools, note that the listed tuition rates reflect full-time enrollment; most CNA programs are shorter and may have a different fee structure.
It’s also worth looking at the average net price after aid. For all students at New Hampshire community colleges with CNA programs, this figure ranges between about $14,100 and $15,800 per year, according to federal data. While this institution-wide number isn’t specific to CNA students, it shows that most attendees receive substantial grants and scholarships to offset costs.
Several financial aid sources can reduce what you pay out-of-pocket for CNA training.
A growing number of New Hampshire healthcare employers will pay for your CNA training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. This can eliminate upfront costs entirely while providing a paid job during or after training.
These programs are competitive, so apply early and be prepared to commit to working for the sponsoring facility for a set period after you earn your license.
For more details on program costs at specific schools, check the admissions or financial aid pages of each institution listed in our ranking.
The shift toward hybrid CNA training in New Hampshire means aspiring LNAs can now complete theory work from home, but every approved program still requires hands-on clinical hours in a real care setting.
Most full-time CNA programs in New Hampshire last between 3 and 8 weeks, with total instructional hours ranging from 110 to 126. Part-time or evening/weekend tracks typically extend to 10–12 weeks. For example, LNA Health Careers offers an intensive 3-week hybrid program that includes 50 hours of online theory, 16 hours of lab, and 60 hours of clinical work. Other options like St. Joseph School of Nursing (7 weeks, 126 hours) and Concord Hospital (8 weeks, in-person) spread the same content over a longer period. Great Bay Community College runs a 7- to 8-week hybrid cohort during the day, making it a solid fit for recent high school graduates or career changers who can attend full-time.
Not all programs offer the same scheduling flexibility. LNA Health Careers stands out by providing day, evening, and weekend cohorts, which can be a lifeline for students balancing a job or family responsibilities. River Valley Community College’s LNA track meets during the day only, while other in-person programs, such as Team Select Home Care’s 4-week course, operate on a fixed daytime schedule. If you need to work while training, confirm cohort times before enrolling.
New Hampshire regulations permit hybrid delivery, meaning the theory portion of LNA training, covering topics like infection control, vital signs, and patient rights, can be completed online. However, all clinical hours must take place at an approved healthcare facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This hybrid model is now common: LNA Health Careers and Rockingham County Senior Living both move roughly 50–60 hours of classroom instruction online, reserving in-person time for skills lab and clinical rotations. Great Bay Community College also introduced a hybrid option in 2026. Fully in-person programs remain available at schools such as Concord Hospital, Team Select Home Care, and River Valley Community College for students who prefer a traditional classroom environment.
Among the highly rated CNA programs in New Hampshire, the mix of delivery modes gives you genuine choice. Hybrid programs like those at LNA Health Careers, Great Bay Community College, and Rockingham County Senior Living let you study theory on your own schedule before attending scheduled lab and clinical sessions. In-person programs, Concord Hospital, the St. Joseph School of Nursing, Team Select Home Care, and River Valley Community College, provide face-to-face instruction throughout. Neither format is inherently better; the right pick depends on your learning style, commute, and outside obligations.
Nursing assistant training programs in New Hampshire are increasingly evaluated based on the competency exam pass rates of their graduates, yet public data remains fragmented. For aspiring CNAs, finding reliable pass rate information requires knowing where to look: DHHS, testing vendors, or the schools themselves.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees CNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant in NH) training and competency evaluation, but the agency does not currently publish a centralized report of program-level or statewide aggregate pass rates. Prospective students can check the DHHS website for updates or contact the Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing directly. The testing vendors, Prometric and Pearson VUE, administer the exam. However, publicly available pass rate data by school is not routinely posted on their sites. Inquiring with their support teams may yield limited information.
Many community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities voluntarily publish their pass rates. When researching programs on topnursing.org or school websites, look for a “student outcomes” or “program effectiveness” page. Some programs report a 90% or higher first-time pass rate, while others may not share data. If a program does not list its rates, call the admissions office and ask for the most recent cohort’s performance. Programs accredited by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing are required to track and maintain records, so even if not public, administrators can typically provide figures.
Pass rates indicate exam readiness, but employment outcomes tell a more complete story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for nursing assistants nationwide, with growth driven by an aging population. In New Hampshire, the healthcare sector remains one of the largest employers, and CNAs are essential in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. Although program-specific job placement data is not standardized, high pass rates often correlate with stronger employability. Ask about graduate job placement services and local employer partnerships when evaluating a school.
A high pass rate is encouraging, but it shouldn't be the only factor. Consider the program’s clinical hour requirements, instructor qualifications, and support for state exam preparation. Some programs offer free or low-cost retake vouchers if a student fails the exam. Make sure the program qualifies you for the New Hampshire Nursing Assistant Registry, which is required for employment. A program’s relationship with local healthcare networks can also streamline job placement.
The Manchester-Nashua metro area employs the largest number of CNAs in New Hampshire. Here's the median annual wage according to the latest BLS data.
St. Joseph School of Nursing allows LPNs to transfer up to 17 nursing credits into its 12-month ASN program, carving a direct pathway from licensed nursing assistant to registered nurse. New Hampshire’s nursing career ladder is structured, pragmatic, and increasingly accelerated by bridge programs that reward prior clinical experience.
Most advancement journeys begin with the Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), New Hampshire’s term for CNA, moving into practical nursing. Nashua Community College’s LPN Certificate Program explicitly requires current NH LNA licensure as a prerequisite, and it offers a waiver option that can streamline entry for experienced assistants. The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) runs a 12-month LPN program designed as an on-ramp to the RN level, meaning students are positioned to continue their education without losing momentum. This structure lets LNAs earn a practical nursing credential quickly, often while working part-time in the same clinical settings where they trained.
Once licensed as an LPN, several state schools offer dedicated bridge tracks. River Valley Community College’s LPN-to-RN Bridge Program and NHTI’s LPN-to-RN completion option are built for working nurses, with schedules that accommodate shift work. St. Joseph School of Nursing’s ASN program for LPNs packs the curriculum into a single year and accepts both nursing (up to 17 credits) and non-nursing (up to 27 credits) transfer hours, significantly shortening the time to an associate degree and RN licensure. These bridges recognize that LPNs already possess fundamental clinical competencies and focus on building assessment, leadership, and complex care skills.
Clinical site partnerships sweeten the deal: St. Joseph Hospital provides tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing higher nursing degrees, a benefit not uncommon among New Hampshire’s larger healthcare networks. CNAs and LPNs working in long-term care, acute care, or home health often find that their employer will cover part or all of tuition for LPN or RN programs in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. Checking with human resources about current tuition assistance policies is a practical first step before enrolling in any bridge program.
After earning an RN license, the ladder extends to BSN and beyond. Many New Hampshire RN-to-BSN programs are designed with flexibility for working nurses, and some accept credits from the same CCSNH schools that train LPNs and ADN graduates. For those eyeing advanced practice, the state’s NP program pages outline master’s-level entry points that often require a BSN and RN experience. Mapping the full arc from LNA to NP early can help students select bridge programs that keep doors open, for instance, choosing an ADN program with an articulation agreement into a BSN completion track avoids repeating coursework later.
Navigating the path to becoming a nursing assistant in New Hampshire comes with common questions about terminology, timelines, and costs. Below are clear answers to help you move forward with confidence.
