Colleges Near New Bedford, Massachusetts
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving New Bedford? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 30 miles of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
There are at least 9 colleges serving the area, including 5 private colleges and universities, 3 public colleges and universities, and 1 community college offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving New Bedford, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
New Bedford, Massachusetts Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near New Bedford, Massachusetts have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 7,828 doctorates at colleges and universities near New Bedford. That was a decrease of 10% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near New Bedford, Massachusetts
There are at least 5 schools offering degrees near New Bedford, Massachusetts, and 5 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 12,915 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 4,682 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,482 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Salve Regina University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Salve Regina University. In 2023, 603 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 187 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,174
Completions By Degree
798
Est. Online Degree Availability
33%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Roger Williams University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Roger Williams University. In 2023, 922 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 55 associate degrees, 143 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,971
Completions By Degree
1,120
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Wheaton College (Massachusetts). In 2023, 421 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,653
Completions By Degree
421
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Roger Williams University School of Law is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Roger Williams University School of Law. In 2023, 171 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 1 master's degree, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
172
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near New Bedford, Massachusetts
There are 3 four-year public colleges located near New Bedford, Massachusetts. About 14,565 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 4,547 degrees were completed at public colleges near New Bedford. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. In 2023, 341 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 50 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,323
Completions By Degree
391
Est. Online Degree Availability
13%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. In 2023, 1,160 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 441 master's degrees, and 142 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,331
Completions By Degree
1,743
Est. Online Degree Availability
53%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bridgewater State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Bridgewater State University. In 2023, 1,935 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 478 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,911
Completions By Degree
2,413
Est. Online Degree Availability
30%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near New Bedford, Massachusetts
There is 1 community college near New Bedford, Massachusetts where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 4,920 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near New Bedford, and about 770 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bristol Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,920
Completions By Degree
770
Est. Online Degree Availability
30%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near New Bedford, Massachusetts
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near New Bedford, Massachusetts? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at New Bedford-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $40,563. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near New Bedford is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving New Bedford, Massachusetts
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in New Bedford, Massachusetts is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving New Bedford, Massachusetts here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Roger Williams University
- Salve Regina University
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
- Roger Williams University School of Law
- Bristol Community College
New Bedford, Massachusetts Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in New Bedford? What's the New Bedford, Massachusetts job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 866,084 jobs in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area. From 2023-2024, job growth in New Bedford was below the national average, at 1%. There were 107,627 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in New Bedford do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $24.09.