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Public, 2-year

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts · www.bristolcc.edu

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Out-of-state tuition

$10,776

In-state $5,832

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

6,950

Student-faculty ratio 16:1

Peer median 18 : 1

Graduation rate

20.7%

Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 26.0%

Peer median 33.7%

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

Bristol Community College (BCC) is an esteemed institution located in Fall River, Massachusetts, with additional campuses in New Bedford and Taunton. Known for its commitment to accessible and affordable education, BCC offers a diverse range of programs that cater to the needs of its students. The college provides over 70 degree and certificate programs across various fields such as health sciences, business, liberal arts, and technology. This extensive curriculum allows students to gain practical skills and knowledge that enhance their career prospects. Moreover, BCC emphasizes the importance of a supportive learning environment, featuring small class sizes and dedicated faculty who are invested in the academic success of their students.

In addition to its robust academic offerings, Bristol Community College fosters a vibrant campus culture that encourages student engagement and personal growth. The college promotes a strong sense of community through various extracurricular activities, including student organizations, cultural events, and athletic programs. BCC's campus facilities are modern and well-equipped, providing students with access to state-of-the-art technology and resources. Notably, the college's commitment to student success is reflected in its comprehensive support services, which include academic advising, counseling, and career services. With a focus on preparing students for the workforce or further education, BCC has established a solid reputation for producing graduates who are ready to excel in their chosen careers.

Analysis of Tuition Trends and Student Retention

The data from Bristol Community College reveals significant trends in tuition fees and student retention rates over the years. From 2014 to 2024, in-state undergraduate tuition has increased from $4,178 to $5,412, representing a rise of approximately 29.5%. Similarly, out-of-state tuition has escalated from $9,122 to $10,356, marking an increase of around 13.5%. This consistent uptick in tuition fees can create financial strain on students and their families, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds, potentially discouraging enrollment and increasing student debt.

Moreover, the student population has seen a noticeable decline from 9,022 in 2013 to 5,822 in 2023, reflecting a drop of about 35%. This downward trend could be attributed to the rising costs of education, alongside other factors such as increased competition from other institutions and possibly shifting demographics.

Retention rates have also fluctuated during this period, with a peak of around 61.5% in 2014, but a decline to approximately 58.5% by 2023. This suggests that while the college may have been able to attract students initially, the challenges posed by financial burdens and possibly inadequate support systems have led to higher dropout rates.

Finally, examining the gender ratio among undergraduate students indicates a persistent trend where female students consistently outnumber male students, peaking at 66.7% female representation in 2021. This demographic shift may influence campus culture and academic dynamics in the coming years.

Overall, the interplay of rising tuition fees, declining student numbers, and fluctuating retention rates raises concerns about the accessibility and sustainability of education at Bristol Community College, necessitating a closer examination of institutional policies and support systems to better serve future students.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Suburb of a large city
Nearest major city
Providence, about 15 mi
Nearest international airport
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), about 15 mi
Fall River, Massachusetts
Also known as
Bristol
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Dr. Sedgwick Harris (President)
Phone
7743572811
City
Fall River, Massachusetts
Address
777 Elsbree St, Fall River, MA 02720-7395

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate7926 international (0.8%)
Top 10 Associate majors by graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other
166
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
111
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
87
Business Administration and Management, General
54
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
33
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
32
Social Work
21
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
19
Fire Science/Fire-fighting
18
Elementary Education and Teaching
18

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Trends at Bristol Community College

The graduation statistics from Bristol Community College for 2023 reveal significant insights into student enrollment and graduation across various fields of study. Notably, the data indicates a strong inclination towards practical and vocational programs, particularly in health and public service sectors. For instance, the Registered Nursing program saw 74 graduates, while programs like Veterinary/Animal Health Technology and Dental Hygiene also reported modest numbers, underscoring the demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector.

Interestingly, the absence of graduates in many bachelor's and master's programs suggests a potential gap in advanced academic pursuits at this institution. This trend could point to either limited offerings or a preference among students for associate degrees that lead to immediate employment opportunities. With economic uncertainties and evolving job markets, many students may be prioritizing quick access to the workforce over prolonged academic commitment.

Moreover, the data shows that international students are not currently represented among graduates, highlighting a possible area for growth. With global education becoming increasingly competitive, Bristol Community College may benefit from strategies to attract and retain international talent to enhance its diversity and academic richness.

As the job market continues to evolve, particularly in technology and environmental fields, Bristol Community College should consider expanding its curriculum to meet emerging demands. This includes enhancing offerings in areas like cybersecurity and environmental sciences, which have shown increasing relevance in today's economy. Overall, the graduation data presents a valuable opportunity for the college to reassess its academic strategies and better align with workforce needs.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Liberal arts has 277 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.$38,236
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other.$38,236
Health professionshas 136 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.$69,398
Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary.-
Occupational Therapist Assistant.$42,423
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician.-
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist.-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$84,017
Businesshas 92 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Business/Commerce, General.$49,956
Business Administration and Management, General.$39,891
Accounting.-
Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary.$38,697
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies.-
Banking and Financial Support Services.-
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other.-
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.-
Homeland security has 50 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.$42,177
Fire Science/Fire-fighting.-
Computer and information sciencehas 40 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Computer Programming/Programmer, General.-
Computer Game Programming.-
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician.-
Computer Science.-
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.-
Educationhas 34 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Elementary Education and Teaching.$33,710
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching.$33,710
Biologyhas 33 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.$42,009
Visual and Performing artshas 29 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Graphic Design.-
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other.-
Fine/Studio Arts, General.$27,381
Intermedia/Multimedia.$27,381
Public administrationhas 21 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Social Work.-
Engineering technologieshas 20 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.-
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Biomedical Technology/Technician.-
Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Wind Energy Technology/Technician.-
Communication has 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.-
Engineeringhas 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Engineering, General.-
Engineering Science.-
Legal professionshas 11 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Legal Assistant/Paralegal.-
Agricultural has 8 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture.-
Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant.-
Natural resources has 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Environmental Science.-
Culinary has 2 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other.-
Cultural has 2 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Deaf Studies.-

Students

6,950 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 33:67 · Freshman retention 54.4%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (6,950)

White
3,704 · 53.3%
Hispanic
1,063 · 15.3%
Black
897 · 12.9%
Unknown
758 · 10.9%
Two or more races
367 · 5.3%
Asian
141 · 2.0%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
7.2%
18–19
19.0%
20–21
14.2%
22–24
12.4%
25 and over
47.3%

Data insights

Analysis of Student Demographics at Bristol Community College in 2023

In 2023, Bristol Community College displays a diverse student body with a notable gender distribution across various categories. The data indicates a significant enrollment of undergraduate newcomers, with 1242 students, where females represent 59.5% and males 40.5%. This trend continues among returning undergraduates, where females constitute an even larger proportion at 70.1%, suggesting a potentially increasing appeal of higher education among women.

The demographics also reveal a smaller cohort of transfer students, numbering 336, with a gender ratio favoring females at 63.7%. This could reflect broader societal trends where women are increasingly pursuing educational advancement. Moreover, the total number of non-degree seeking students stands at 902, with a gender split of 62.2% females and 37.8% males.

Examining the racial composition, the majority of undergraduate newcomers are white, who account for approximately 52.7% of this group. The representation of other racial and ethnic groups, including Asian, Latinx, and Black students, indicates a commitment to inclusivity, though the specific percentages for each subgroup were not provided.

Overall, the data underscores the college's ongoing efforts to create an inclusive educational environment while highlighting the significant female representation in higher education at Bristol Community College. These trends could influence future enrollment strategies and the development of support services aimed at fostering diversity and equity within the student population.

Analysis of Student Age Demographics at Bristol Community College

The age distribution of students at Bristol Community College reveals several interesting trends that reflect broader societal patterns in higher education. The majority of students fall within the 18-21 age range, with 576 male undergraduates and 763 female undergraduates aged 18-19, and 377 male undergraduates and 623 female undergraduates aged 20-21. This indicates a strong presence of traditional college-age students, which is a common trend in community colleges as they often serve as a stepping stone for younger students transitioning from high school to higher education.

As we analyze the data further, the number of students in the older age brackets decreases significantly. For instance, only 200 male undergraduates and 526 female undergraduates are in the 25-29 age group, and even fewer in the 30-34 age group, with 127 male undergraduates and 423 female undergraduates. This drop-off is indicative of the challenges faced by non-traditional students, who may juggle work and family commitments alongside their educational aspirations.

Interestingly, the data shows that there are no graduate male students, which raises questions about the representation of men in graduate programs at the college. This could suggest a need for targeted recruitment or support strategies to encourage male students to pursue advanced studies.

Overall, the demographics highlight a predominance of younger students, while also pointing to the potential barriers faced by older and graduate-level students. Addressing these disparities could enhance the educational environment and support a more diverse student body.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates0.0%

0 in 2025 · 0.1% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 0.1%2017: 0.1%2018: 0.0%2019: 0.0%2020: 0.0%2021: 0.0%2022: 0.0%2023: 0.0%2024: 0.0%2025: 0.0%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Analysis of International Student Enrollment at Bristol Community College

The data on international students at Bristol Community College reveals a concerning trend over the years. From 2004 to 2021, there has been a significant decline in the number of international undergraduate students. In 2004, the college had 51 international undergraduate students, accounting for 0.77% of the total undergraduate population. However, by 2021, this number had plummeted to just 1 student, representing a mere 0.02% of the undergraduate cohort.

This gradual decrease is alarming, particularly in a global context where many institutions are actively seeking to attract international talent. Various factors could contribute to this decline, including stricter visa regulations, rising tuition costs, and the overall perception of the United States as a study destination amidst geopolitical uncertainties.

Moreover, the absence of data on graduate students further complicates the understanding of the overall international student landscape at the college. The lack of representation in higher education levels could indicate a broader trend affecting the institution's appeal to non-domestic students.

Given the increasing competition among colleges for international enrollment, Bristol Community College may need to reassess its strategies to attract and retain international students. Initiatives such as enhancing support services, establishing partnerships with foreign institutions, and promoting cultural diversity could potentially reverse this downward trend and enrich the academic environment for all students.

Cost

2025 cost per year (out-of-state)

$20,323

Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
$10,776
Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
$5,832
Room and board
$9,547
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose 17% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 139%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$91.7M

Government grants and contracts
$68.2M74.3%
Tuition and fees
$16.2M17.7%
Gifts and private grants
$2.8M3.1%
Investment return
$1.9M2.1%
Other
$2.6M2.8%

Expenses$82.3M

Instruction
$37.7M45.9%
Student services
$14.8M18.0%
Institutional support
$14.4M17.5%
Academic support
$12.2M14.8%
Scholarships
$7.3M8.9%
Other
-$4.2M-5.1%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$67,657peers $68,588
Professor
$73,620peers $79,972
Associate professor
$62,708peers $69,677
Assistant professor
$58,710peers $62,785
Instructor
$53,820peers $61,593

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NJCAA
2025
NJCAA Division III MENWOMEN
Soccer2215
Basketball1512
Volleyball-12
Cross Country31
2024
NJCAA Division IIIMENWOMEN
Soccer1714
Basketball2010
Volleyball-12
Cross Country44
2023
NJCAA Division IIIMENWOMEN
Soccer2015
Basketball1710
Volleyball-10
Cross Country44

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable schools surrounding Bristol Community College:

  1. Brown University - Ranked 9th in the 2024 US News rankings, Brown University is an Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Known for its flexible curriculum and diverse academic programs, it offers a unique educational experience.

  2. Wellesley College - This prestigious women's liberal arts college is ranked 4th in the nation. Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and is renowned for its empowering environment and strong alumni network.

  3. Boston College - With a ranking of 39, Boston College is a private research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It is known for its academic rigor and strong commitment to community service and the Jesuit tradition.

  4. Harvard University - As one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Harvard is ranked 3rd in the US News 2024 rankings. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it offers a diverse range of programs and is known for its significant contributions to research and scholarship.

  5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT is ranked 2nd in the nation, focusing on science, engineering, and technology. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is known for its innovative research and cutting-edge education.

These institutions represent a variety of academic strengths and opportunities for students in the region.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Data at Bristol Community College

The crime data from Bristol Community College reveals a fluctuating pattern of incidents over the years, with notable spikes and declines. From 2013 to 2014, there were no recorded incidents, which indicates a relatively safe environment during those years. However, a shift occurred in 2015, where the crime rate rose to 0.59 per 1,000 students, primarily driven by drug-related arrests and alcohol offenses, reflecting a potential increase in substance-related issues among the student population.

The peak year was 2018, with a significant rise in crime rate to 1.07 per 1,000 students, indicating a heightened concern for safety on campus. This spike could have been influenced by various factors, such as the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, which may have contributed to increased substance use among students. Interestingly, the subsequent years from 2019 to 2023 show a return to a zero crime rate, suggesting either effective crime prevention strategies or a decline in reporting incidents.

While the data indicates a downward trend in crime incidents in recent years, the brief spikes highlight the necessity for continuous vigilance and improvement in campus safety measures. Educational institutions must prioritize student well-being and provide resources to address issues related to substance abuse, ensuring a supportive environment conducive to learning. For a deeper understanding of crime rates and their implications, you can refer to the calculation method here: https://www.forwardpathway.com/33447.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.