The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire finished No. 58 on Poets&Quants’ 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S. In our three methodological categories, it finished No. 78 in Admission Standards, No. 57 in Career Outcomes, and No. 36 in Academic Experience (based solely on our alumni survey).
The B-school’s acceptance rate for the fall 2024 incoming class was 67.4%, and the class also reported an average SAT score of 1161. Its six-year graduation rate is 82.1%.
In career data, 83% of Class of 2024 graduates and 85% of Class of 2023 grads completed at least one business-specific internship before graduation. Some 94.7% of 2024 grads found jobs within three months, compared to 95.7% of 2023 grads.
Average salary for the most recent graduates was $60,439, with 53% of them reporting an average signing bonus of $4,297. The top employers included Fidelity Investments, Intentsify, Medicus Healthcare Solutions, JPMorgan Chase, Dell Technologies, Oracle, RSM US, Charles Schwab, FedPoint, and Marriott International.
The success of the Paul College is largely linked to the “real-world” applications of its education. From its signature FIRE program to the capstone experience, Paul undergraduates get a real sense of what business is all about.
FIRE PROGRAM
One of the signature programs at the Paul College is the First-Year Research and Innovation Experience (FIRE), an experiential learning program designed to help first-year students engage in college life and build relationships with faculty, staff, and other students.
The year-long experience is built around a set of grand challenges where students work in teams, learn research skills, and develop business plans that they present at the end of the year during the undergraduate research conference. FIRE uses game design principles to both motivate and engage students as they participate in a series of healthy competitions designed to increase student involvement and the formation of lifelong friendships.
FIRE is a prime example of Paul College’s distinct approach to experience-based learning. At many other B-schools, students don’t experience this hands-on learning until their junior or senior year capstone project. But, at Paul College, students get a taste of experiential learning and teamwork early on in their first year. Year by year, Paul students build on their knowledge and gain valuable teamwork experience that will help them succeed in the real world.
REAL-WORLD CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics offers students the best of both worlds—a close-knit learning environment where faculty know students by name, combined with the resources of a top-tier research university. The school emphasizes experiential learning, industry engagement, and real-world applications to ensure students are career-ready by the time they graduate.
Students can pursue a B.S. in Business Administration with options in Accounting, Finance, Entrepreneurial Studies, International Business and Economics, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Management, Marketing, Student-Designed Business, Supply Chain Management, and Hospitality Management.
Throughout their academic careers, students participate in Business in Practice (BiP) courses, which are taught by industry professionals from companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Fidelity. These courses develop critical business competencies in areas such as Python, Tableau, financial literacy, and career strategy.
Paul College also offers three scholarship-supported cohort programs that create strong communities of mentorship and leadership development:
- Rutman Fellows: A women’s leadership program offering mentorship, leadership training, and access to industry conferences.
- Paul Scholars: A program for high-achieving students, featuring early move-in experiences, a dedicated residential learning community, and faculty mentorship.
- Inclusive Leadership Fellows: Designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, this program provides mentorship, leadership training, and networking opportunities.
RECENT INNOVATIONS
Paul College continues to expand its curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and industry connections to ensure students graduate with the skills needed to thrive in dynamic business environments.
The school recently launched a Sports Analytics Club, providing students with hands-on projects in data collection, systems analysis, database design, and visualization to help UNH athletic teams and external sports organizations make data-driven decisions. Additionally, mentorship programs have expanded to connect students with alumni, business leaders, and faculty mentors across various industries, providing guidance on internships, job opportunities, and career strategies.
Paul College has also strengthened its focus on Responsible Management Education by aligning with UNH’s sustainability initiatives. The school is a PRME Champion, part of a UN Global Compact initiative to advance responsible business education. New sustainability-focused courses include ESG investing, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable supply chain management.
To adapt to emerging industry trends, Paul College introduced two new program options within its B.S. in Business Administration:
- Supply Chain Management: Prepares students for global logistics careers by teaching analytics-driven decision-making and sustainable business strategies.
- Hospitality Management: Transformed from a standalone major into an option within Business Administration, providing students with a strong business foundation combined with hospitality-specific coursework.
Additionally, the school introduced two new minors: Accounting and Financial Information, Designed to enhance financial decision-making skills across multiple business disciplines; and Real Estate Finance and Investments, to prepares students for real estate careers while covering finance, development, and investment analysis.
ALUMNI SAY
“Worked with a business right off of campus to help their marketing efforts. Got to put what we had learned in class to real world work to get first hand experience.”
“Worked on a business analytics programming independent study that used ML foundational concepts that have helped me move into the AI sector.”
“My senior thesis with Professor Earl – we had to identify a company, find an issue with the company, solve it, and present it to the class. It was set up very similar to a real work environment with scheduled deliverables that culminated in a final presentation. It required teamwork and everyone had to take the lead for a different section. Far and away the best relevant experience I got in College.”
“The two most impressive parts of the program are 1) The faculty and staff and their great attitudes towards students, and 2) the exceptional extracurricular opportunities offered within the business school.”
“UNH Paul College is a special place that, if the time is put in, can really give you a unique and experiential undergrad experience in whatever speciality of business you are interested in (ex: sales, startups, sustainability, finance, etc.)”
“Highly recommend anyone who is interested in attending the University of New Hampshire to take the leap, as you will have zero regrets in the long run. No matter what University you choose to attend, there will be challenges along the way; but the professors, community, and friends you will make at the UNH will allow you to succeed as a professional and grow as a person. GO WILDCATS!”
