Best Online Nursing 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 nursing 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 nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $130,640 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to New Bedford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing 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 | – |
| Diman Regional Technical Institute | Fall River, MA | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School | Bourne, MA | 19.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Technical Institute | South Easton, MA | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 27.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts nursing page.
Nursing 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,220 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $95,501 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,420 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $74,086 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | MA statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $127,880 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $125,619 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,640 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $128,330 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,430 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $42,662 |
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 |
| Nursing-related employment in Bristol County | 18,008 workers, 313 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other New Bedford-Area Cities With Nursing 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 nursing programs are near New Bedford, MA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing 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 Community College of Rhode Island (27.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near New Bedford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near New Bedford are: Nurse Practitioner ($130,640), Nurse Midwife ($127,880), Registered Nurse ($97,220). 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 nursing 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 nursing?
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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