New Hampshire at a Glance
Median LPN salary: ~$62,000/year → Median RN salary: ~$95,000/year (BLS data)
Your raise: ~$33,000/year + no state income tax on wages — every dollar is yours
Programs: River Valley CC (Claremont), NHTI (Concord) | NOT an NLC state
NH Board of Nursing: oplc.nh.gov/nursing · (603) 271-6605
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's community college system offers bridge programs with access to Dartmouth-Hitchcock (the state's premier medical center) and Concord Hospital. No state income tax on wages means your RN salary stays in your pocket.
River Valley Community College (RVCC) — LPN to RN Bridge (Claremont)
RVCC's bridge starts with ADNR 197R (LPN to RN Program Bridge, 4 credits). Pass with B- or higher and you enter the ADN program at the senior level — just 2 more semesters to your AS in Nursing and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Located near Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center — NH's flagship hospital. Accepts LPN licenses from the entire New England region.
NHTI — Concord's Community College — Nursing Pathway
NHTI serves the Concord / central NH area. Concord Hospital is the major clinical partner. State capital location with access to southern NH's healthcare facilities.
✅ Pro tip for working moms: RVCC accepts LPN licenses from the entire New England region (not just NH) — if you're near the VT or MA border, you can use your existing license. The NLN NACE I exam (not TEAS) is the entrance exam — study specifically for NACE, not TEAS. No state income tax means your $95,000 RN salary is the same take-home as $106,000+ in a 10% tax state.
Online Option: Excelsior University
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
For NH LPNs in the North Country or Lakes Region far from Claremont/Concord. Verify NH Board acceptance.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior does not carry ACEN accreditation. NH employers (Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital) prefer accredited graduates. Use RVCC or NHTI if possible.
New Hampshire LPN to RN Cost Comparison
| Program | Estimated Total Cost | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| RVCC (Claremont) | ~$10,000–$18,000 | Near Dartmouth-Hitchcock, NACE I exam |
| NHTI (Concord) | ~$10,000–$18,000 | State capital, Concord Hospital |
| Excelsior University | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | Online, verify NH Board |
NH community college tuition is higher than Southern/Midwestern states but you pay NO state income tax on wages. Pell Grants and NH Granite State grants available.
New Hampshire LPN vs RN Salary: No Income Tax = Maximum Take-Home
New Hampshire's no-income-tax advantage means your RN salary goes further than the same number in neighboring states. Based on BLS data:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | ~$49,000 | ~$74,000 | +$25,000 |
| Median | ~$62,000 | ~$95,000 | +$33,000 |
| Top earners | ~$76,000 | ~$122,000 | +$46,000 |
📊 The no-tax math: $95,000 in NH with 0% wage income tax = same take-home as ~$106,000 in Massachusetts (5% tax) or ~$108,000 in Vermont (8.75% top rate). If you live in southern NH and commute to MA hospitals, you earn MA wages and pay no state income tax. That's the best of both worlds.
Top NH employers: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon — NH's flagship), Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital (Manchester), Catholic Medical Center (Manchester), Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover). Southern NH benefits from Boston healthcare spillover demand.
What You Need to Get In (New Hampshire Requirements)
- Active LPN license in NH or New England region (NH is NOT an NLC state)
- NLN NACE I exam: 68% overall score required (this is NOT the TEAS — study specifically for NACE)
- RVCC bridge course: Must pass ADNR 197R with B- or higher to enter senior year
- Prerequisite courses: Vary by program
- Background check + drug screening
- CPR/BLS + immunizations
⚠️ New Hampshire is NOT an NLC state. Your NH license works only in NH. Neighboring VT, ME, and MA are also NOT NLC. If you work near the MA border, you'll need separate MA licensure for MA hospital employment. However, NH's no-income-tax status makes living in NH and working in NH the most tax-efficient option.
Paying for It: New Hampshire Financial Aid
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year. Complete the FAFSA.
- Granite State Grant: NH state need-based aid for NH residents.
- Employer tuition: Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital all offer tuition reimbursement for employees advancing to RN.
- No state income tax: Financial aid refunds and RN paychecks are 100% yours.
📋 Real math: CC tuition (~$14,000) minus Pell ($7,395) = ~$6,600. Your $33,000 raise (tax-free at state level) pays that back in under 3 months. Dartmouth-Hitchcock tuition reimbursement can reduce cost to $0 for employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire have an income tax?
NH has no state income tax on wages or salary. Your RN paycheck is 100% yours. NH does tax interest and dividends but not earned income. This makes NH one of the best take-home-pay states for RNs in New England.
What entrance exam does RVCC require?
NLN NACE I (Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam), NOT the TEAS. You need a 68% overall score. Study specifically for NACE — it's a different exam than what most bridge programs use.
Is New Hampshire a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. NH is NOT NLC. Your license works only in NH. Neighboring VT, ME, and MA are also not NLC.
New Hampshire Board of Nursing Contact
NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification — Nursing
NH RN licenses renew every 2 years. NH is NOT an NLC state. Board operates under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. No state income tax on wages.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside New Hampshire? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.