What Is It Known For?
The Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges established Bristol Community College in December 1965 as a public higher education institution. Over 6,000 students now attend classes each year.
Four strategies guide Bristol’s planning: Academic Innovation, Organizational Excellence, Partnerships, Equity and Student Success.
Moreover, with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for meaningful connections between instructors and learners. That size creates space for questions, discussions, and personalized guidance throughout your studies.
Degrees & Certifications
At Bristol Community College, your path forward includes options across 119 degree and certificate programs, plus individual courses if you prefer targeted learning.
Study areas cover:
- Behavioral, Global and Social Sciences
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Communication and Media
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
- Career Certificates
- Health and Wellness, and more.
Class Schedules
Day and night classes at Bristol Community College accommodate different work schedules, though specific timing depends on your chosen program. Learning happens in person, fully online, or through combined formats that blend both approaches. That flexibility means you build skills on your own timeline.
Health and wellness programs incorporate internships, clinicals, and externships where you apply knowledge in actual healthcare environments. Those placements give you hands-on practice that boosts confidence and competence in professional settings.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The New England Commission of Higher Education accredits Bristol Community College. NECHE accreditation signals that the institution meets or exceeds quality standards assessed through peer review processes.
Individual programs hold additional specialized accreditations detailed on the college’s accreditation webpage.
Acceptance Rate
Bristol Community College hasn’t published acceptance rates. However, following the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education’s “Open Door” philosophy, the college maintains open enrollment for most programs. Some specialized programs have different enrollment requirements beyond general admission.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
At Bristol Community College, Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents pay $24 per credit hour for tuition. Students from other locations pay $230 per credit hour for tuition. Everyone pays a $224 per credit college fee regardless of residence.
The college’s website provides complete tuition and fee breakdowns. Using their net price calculator will also generate personalized cost estimates based on your specific circumstances and program selection.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business
- Communication
- Hospitality
- Management
- Marketing
- Office Administration
- Project Management
Criminal Justice & Law
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal Studies
Healthcare
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Information Management
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Assisting
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Phlebotomy
Professional Services
- American Sign Language
- Culinary Arts
Technology
- Computer Aided Drafting/Design
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Information Technology
Campus Locations
Attleboro 11 Field Road, Attleboro, MA 02703
Fall River 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA 02720
New Bedford 800 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Taunton 2 Hamilton Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Bristol Community College (BCC) is highly regarded for its strong academic programs, especially Nursing, and its beautiful, well-maintained campus with many resources. However, the experience is severely tarnished by consistent and widespread reports of unhelpful, rude, and unorganized administrative staff, particularly in the Financial Aid department.
Overall Score: 4.0/5 Stars
Common Praises
Excellent Academic Quality and Programs: Reviewers consistently praise the quality of education, especially the Nursing program, which has been ranked #1 Best Value in Massachusetts. The Dental Hygiene and Science/Math professors are also commended for being knowledgeable and supportive.
Supportive and Knowledgeable Professors: Many students report having “knowledgeable professors” who are engaging, helpful, and genuinely care about student success. The feeling is that the educational staff is dedicated.
Beautiful and Resourceful Campus: The main campus is described as “beautiful,” “clean,” and “nice,” with amenities like easy parking, a walking path (Bayhawk Trail), tennis courts, and basketball courts that are open for community use.
Transferability and Value: BCC is noted as a great, affordable foundation for an academic journey, offering flexible schedules (including online options) that are perfect for adult learners and those planning to transfer to a four-year university.
Common Criticisms
Rude and Unhelpful Administrative Staff: This is the most prevalent and intense criticism. Reviewers across many years report staff being “extremely rude,” “unhelpful,” and “unaccommodating,” particularly when addressing issues over the phone.
Dysfunctional Financial Aid and Admissions: The Financial Aid office is repeatedly labeled as “unqualified,” “useless,” and “pathetic.” Students describe administrative experiences as a “headache,” involving a cycle of being told conflicting information, being transferred repeatedly, and facing disorganization that disrupts the first few weeks of the semester.
Inconsistent Teaching Quality: While many professors are praised, specific instances of poorly structured programs (e.g., an EMT course requiring a textbook but using only online content) and professors assigning large, unmanageable projects without proper instruction were noted.
Serious Allegations of Discrimination/Misconduct: One reviewer reported a mathematics professor attempting to manipulate them into seeking accommodations based on an unfounded assumption of a learning disability, raising concerns about professional boundaries and inappropriate conduct.
Momentum
Bristol Community College has strong academic and institutional momentum driven by its highly-regarded career programs (like Nursing) and its commitment to affordability, especially with the introduction of free community college programs for eligible Massachusetts residents. The college is clearly a high-value investment for students. However, this positive momentum is severely undermined by the persistent culture of rudeness and disorganization within the administrative and student services offices. To improve the student experience and retention rate (which is slightly below its peers), the college must urgently address the core operational and customer service issues raised repeatedly in the reviews.