University of New Hampshire

The state's flagship school, the University of New Hampshire is also nationally known for its work in a variety of fields, including population and demography research at the Carsey School of Public Policy. Political science professors are routinely interviewed for their election insights, thanks to New Hampshire's status in presidential contests as an early primary state. The Wildcats compete in Division I and, out of their 20 athletic teams, those for winter sports, such as hockey and skiing, tend to have the biggest following. Students typically have a strong connection to the environment: The university places a strong importance on campus sustainability and the New Hampshire Outing Club, the oldest student group on campus, puts on weekend outdoor adventure trips, usually backpacking, canoeing, camping, or rock climbing. UNH has a reputation as a party school, and Durham delivers the standard college-town entertainment, with plenty of bars and restaurants. The campus is also less than 30 minutes from the Seacoast region of the state, and an hour and a half from both New Hampshire's White Mountains and big-city life in Boston.