Best Online Education Programs in New Bedford, MA (2026)
New Bedford, Massachusetts has a population of about 100,731. The city’s median household income is $56,025 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of New Bedford, with tuition ranging from $15,208 to $31,750 per year. In the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $119,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to New Bedford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from New Bedford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | 2.6 mi | $15,208 - $31,750 | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 27.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, RI | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | 69.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 76.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts education page.
Education Wages Near New Bedford
New Bedford is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $88,850 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $87,279 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $84,530 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $83,035 |
| Middle School Teacher | $84,280 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $82,790 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $82,620 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $81,159 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $119,510 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $117,397 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $107,480 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $105,580 |
| Tutor | $56,380 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $55,383 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $75,110 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $73,782 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
New Bedford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,025 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Bristol County | 3,116 workers, 167 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other New Bedford-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Fall River, MA – 8.7 mi away (88,930 pop)
- Taunton, MA – 17.9 mi away (56,843 pop)
- East Providence, RI – 23.3 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Newport, RI – 23.5 mi away (24,779 pop)
- Warwick, RI – 25.4 mi away (81,579 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near New Bedford, MA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of New Bedford. The closest is University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA (2.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fitchburg State University (76.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near New Bedford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near New Bedford are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($119,510), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($107,480), Secondary School Teacher ($88,850). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fall River instead of New Bedford?
Fall River, MA is 8.7 miles from New Bedford and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is New Bedford an affordable place to study education?
New Bedford’s median household income of $56,025 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Bedford while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
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