Bristol Community College

What Bristol Community College does

Bristol Community College is a public community college founded in 1965 and operated under the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, headquartered at 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA. It serves over 8,000 students across four physical campuses in Fall River, Attleboro, New Bedford, and Taunton, plus a Bristol Online distance-learning platform, offering 117 academic programs spanning 12 categories including behavioral and social sciences, business, communication, computer science, health, STEM, and world languages. Specialized institutes and centers extend the core academic offering: the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) trains renewable-energy technicians in partnership with Vineyard Wind and MAERSK; the Center for Cyber Intelligence and Security delivers cybersecurity education; and the Academic Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE), Experiential Education Center, Honors Program, and Library Learning Commons support student success. Student-facing services include the Bristol Mobile App, Bristol Texts messaging service, Degree Works audit tool, and Disability Services.

The business model mixes state appropriations (Commonwealth of Massachusetts), tuition and fees, federal Title IV and Pell aid, workforce training contracts through Business Solutions & Partnerships (BSP), and foundation fundraising. Massachusetts residents aged 25+ can attend tuition-free under MassReconnect, and other eligible residents qualify under MassEducate, making the pricing architecture effectively freemium. GTM operates through community events (College Nights), high-school dual enrollment, employer partnerships (Amazon Career Choice, MAERSK, Vineyard Wind), direct-to-consumer recruitment (free, 5-minute online application with no SAT requirement), and transfer-guarantee partnerships with 80+ four-year institutions including Stonehill College, Elms College, Bridgewater State University, and Rhode Island College.

Bristol holds NECHE accreditation, ACEN nursing accreditation, and Massachusetts Police Accreditation for its police department; a Presidential transition to Dr. Sedgwick L. Harris was confirmed in 2024 alongside a Strategic Plan covering 2025-2030, and the institution joined the national Achieving the Dream Network in 2026 to formalize student-success and equity initiatives.

Name

Bristol Community College

Legal name

Bristol Community College

Website

https://bristolcc.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Bristol Community College is a public Massachusetts community college founded in 1965 that serves over 8,000 students across four campuses and online, offering 117 academic programs in fields from health and STEM to business and renewable-energy workforce training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Workforce development training
• Online higher education
• Transfer pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fall River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and fees for credit and non-credit programs. Massachusetts residents may qualify for free tuition through MassReconnect (adults 25+) and MassEducate programs.
2. State Appropriations: Public funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a state community college.
3. Federal Grants and Financial Aid: Title IV federal student aid, Pell Grants, and other federal education funding.
4. Workforce Development Training: Customized training programs for employers and workforce development through Business Solutions & Partnerships (BSP).
5. Foundation and Donations: Bristol Community College Foundation manages scholarships, donations, and fundraising events including annual gala, golf tournament, and various donor programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bristol Community College delivers public higher education through 117 associate degree, certificate, and career/technical training programs across 12 fields (Behavioral/Global and Social Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communication and Media, Computer Science, Creative Arts, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Education and Childcare, Health and Wellness, Human Services, Law and Justice, STEM, and World Languages) at four southeastern Massachusetts campuses and via Bristol Online. It also operates specialized workforce training institutes including the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) and Center for Cyber Intelligence and Security, and delivers customized employer training through its Business Solutions & Partnerships (BSP) unit.

Product overview

Bristol Community College is a community college offering a unified educational platform with over 117 academic programs across 12 categories. The institution operates multiple specialized institutes and centers including the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) for renewable energy education, the Center for Cyber Intelligence and Security for cybersecurity training, and the Academic Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) for business development. Supporting core academics are online learning through Bristol Online, the Library Learning Commons for academic support, the Experiential Education Center for internships and career development, and an Honors Program for high-achieving students. The college also operates practical training facilities including a Dental Hygiene Clinic serving the community, and cultural venues such as the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery and Bristol Holocaust and Genocide Center. Student engagement is supported through the Bristol Mobile App and Bristol Texts communication services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bristol Online: Online learning platform offering distance education programs and courses
• National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI)
• Center for Cyber Intelligence and Security
• Bristol Holocaust and Genocide Center
• Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery
• Academic Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE)

Products and services

• Degree and Certificate Programs Over 117 academic programs including associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training across 12 categories: Behavioral/Global and Social Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communication and Media, Computer Science, Creative Arts, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Education and Childcare, Health and Wellness, Human Services, Law and Justice, Science/Technology/Engineering/Math, and World Languages. For traditional college-age students, adult learners, and working professionals pursuing credentials or transfer to four-year institutions.
• Bristol Online Bristol's online learning platform providing virtual education with asynchronous and synchronous online course formats, online degree and certificate programs, and dedicated online learning tech help for distance learners and working adults who need flexible scheduling.
• National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) A specialized institute located in New Bedford focused on offshore wind power technology education and workforce development, preparing students for careers in the renewable energy sector through training and credentialing programs aligned with regional employers such as Vineyard Wind.
• Center for Cyber Intelligence and Security A dedicated center providing education and training in cybersecurity, serving the community and regional employers with specialized programs in digital security and cyber intelligence.
• Business Solutions & Partnerships (BSP) Workforce Training Customized workforce training, employee development, and industry-specific training programs delivered to local and regional employers through Bristol's Business Solutions & Partnerships unit, including partnerships with Amazon (Career Choice), MAERSK, and Vineyard Wind.
• Dental Hygiene Clinic A teaching clinic where dental hygiene students provide patient care services while gaining practical clinical experience, offering reduced-cost dental hygiene services to the community and supporting the Dental Hygiene associate degree program.
• Adult Education Programs Adult basic education, GED preparation, and adult secondary education programs for Massachusetts residents 25 and older, including those eligible for free tuition through the MassReconnect program and Credit for Prior Learning.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) ESL programs for non-native English speakers seeking language education and academic preparation, supporting integration, academic pathway progression, and workforce communication skills.
• Academic Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Entrepreneurship education and business development programs with resources, mentorship, and training for aspiring entrepreneurs, supporting business creation in southeastern Massachusetts.
• Honors Program Enhanced academic program offering challenging coursework, seminars, and specialized opportunities for high-achieving students; recognized with Phi Theta Kappa 5-Star Status.
• Associate Degree in Artificial Intelligence New associate degree program in Artificial Intelligence announced in 2025, expanding the Computer Science department offerings at Bristol Community College to address regional demand for AI skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of 2025 graduates likely to recommend Bristol to others
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Achieving the Dream NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Bristol Community College joined the Achieving the Dream Network, a national network of community colleges focused on student success, equity, and institutional transformation. This partnership provides access to data-driven tools, coaching, and best practices for improving student outcomes.
• Stonehill CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Transfer Guarantee Partnership ensuring seamless pathway for Bristol students to transfer to Stonehill College with guaranteed admission and scholarship consideration.
• Elms CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement creating seamless path to bachelor's degree in biology and biotechnology for Bristol students transferring to Elms College.
• Rhode Island CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU agreement facilitating student transfer and academic collaboration between institutions.
• Bridgewater State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer merit and transitions scholarships available for Bristol students continuing at Bridgewater State University.
• Amazon Career Choice ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPre-paid tuition program for Amazon employees to pursue education at Bristol Community College in high-demand fields.
• MAERSKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partnership providing workforce development for MAERSK employees.
• Vineyard WindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffshore wind energy partnership and educational collaboration through the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI).
• Four-Year Institutions (80+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer agreements with over 80 four-year institutions providing seamless pathways for Bristol graduates to continue their education.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bunker Hill Community College: Largest Massachusetts community college with similar multi-campus model and workforce development mission, providing a relevant scale and operational benchmark.
• Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts): Massachusetts public community college offering associate degrees and workforce training under the same state funding and free-tuition framework as Bristol.
• Northern Essex Community College: Another Massachusetts public community college offering associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce training. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, and student demographic focus.
• Springfield Technical Community College: Massachusetts public community college offering associate degrees and technical/career training with overlapping institutional mission, state funding structure, and transfer pathway emphasis.
• Mount Wachusett Community College: Massachusetts public community college providing associate degrees, certificates, and workforce development programs in north-central Massachusetts with comparable NECHE accreditation.
• MassBay Community College: Massachusetts public community college serving the MetroWest region with similar associate degree, certificate, and workforce development programs under the same state appropriations framework.
• Cape Cod Community College: Public community college in Massachusetts providing associate degrees and workforce training with comparable MassReconnect/MassEducate eligibility and NECHE accreditation.
• Quinsigamond Community College: Massachusetts public community college with comparable associate degree programs, workforce training, and transfer articulation agreements to four-year institutions across the state.
• Holyoke Community College: Massachusetts public community college with strong workforce development and Gateway City community focus, operating under the same state appropriations and free-tuition programs as Bristol.

Broad incumbents

• Southern New Hampshire University: Larger nonprofit institution with strong online learning presence that overlaps Bristol's Bristol Online channel. A relevant peer for evaluating online program reach and adult-learner positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Bristol-Community-Co
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bristol-community-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/bristolcc
• Xx.com/bristolcc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bristol Community College