Rivier University

Rivier University is a private Catholic university located on a 68-acre suburban campus in Nashua, New Hampshire. Founded by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, the institution is named after Saint Marie Rivier, whose mission was dedicated to teaching and serving the vulnerable. Rivier is widely recognized for its strong focus on professional preparation—particularly in nursing, education, and business—while maintaining a foundational commitment to the liberal arts. The university provides a supportive, faith-based environment that emphasizes the development of the "whole person," offering degrees ranging from associate and bachelor's to master's and doctoral levels.

The university was founded in 1933 in Hudson, New Hampshire, by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and Sister Madeleine of Jesus. Originally established as Rivier College, it was created to provide higher education opportunities for the daughters of local mill workers during the Great Depression. The institution moved to its current home in Nashua in 1941. A historic highlight occurred in 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy visited the campus early in his presidential campaign. For nearly 60 years, it operated primarily as a women's college until it became fully coeducational in 1991. In recognition of its expanding graduate programs and research initiatives, the institution officially achieved university status in 2012.

Rivier University stands as a compassionate and forward-thinking pillar of New England higher education. By blending its historic Catholic mission with modern, workforce-focused innovations like the three-year degree and its unique employment guarantee, the university ensures that its graduates are both morally grounded and professionally competitive. Its evolution from a small local college for mill workers' daughters to a comprehensive university with a global reach is a testament to its resilience and dedication to social mobility. For students seeking a personalized, values-based education that prioritizes career outcomes, Rivier remains a premier and accessible choice.