Berkshire Community College: $5,612 Tuition

$5,612Tuition

1,100Students

23%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,832Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Berkshire Community College

Berkshire Community College serves as the educational center for western Massachusetts' scenic Berkshire region. The college enrolls 1,100 students and focuses on affordable career training and transfer preparation. Students benefit from small class sizes with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The school has built its reputation around practical programs that connect directly to local job markets and four-year universities.

The financial picture makes sense for most students. After financial aid, the average student pays $8,177 per year. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,965 net price. Graduates typically leave with $12,053 in debt and monthly loan payments of $128. Ten years after graduation, the median earnings reach $38,832. The college delivers solid value for students seeking affordable education without crushing debt loads.

Women make up 68% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong nursing and human services programs. Nearly all students come from Massachusetts, with 96% being in-state residents. The 94% employment rate shows that graduates find work quickly after completing their programs. However, the 23% six-year graduation rate suggests that many students transfer before completing their associate degrees or attend part-time while working.

Academics & Faculty

Berkshire Community College serves the western Massachusetts region with practical career training and transfer pathways to four-year universities. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention that many students need to succeed in their academic goals. However, the 22.8% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including work and family obligations that interrupt their studies. The college focuses on workforce development programs that align with regional employment needs, particularly in healthcare, business, and skilled trades. Students benefit from small class sizes and faculty who understand the local job market. Most programs prepare graduates for immediate employment or seamless transfer to state universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 28.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 22.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,832

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$63,005
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$47,729
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.	Associate	$32,925
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$22,192

View all 34 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Berkshire Community College experience small-town college life in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. Pittsfield sits about 45 minutes from Albany and two hours from Boston, offering access to bigger cities while maintaining a close-knit feel. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic goals. Winter coats are essential as snow blankets the campus from December through March, while fall brings stunning foliage to the surrounding hills.

The 1,100 students create a tight community where nearly 97% are Massachusetts residents. Most students commute from nearby towns rather than living on campus, giving the college a local, working-class character. Women make up 68% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs. Weekend activities center around Pittsfield's downtown arts scene and outdoor recreation in the Berkshires. Students often work part-time jobs while pursuing degrees, with the 94% employment rate showing the practical, career-focused mindset that defines campus culture.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1960

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 11°–28°F
July Avg: 56°–78°F
Annual Precipitation: 45.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Berkshire Community College draws overwhelmingly from western Massachusetts, with nearly all students staying close to home for affordable education. Women make up more than two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong programs in healthcare, education, and human services that traditionally attract female students. The college serves a working-class population, with over a third receiving Pell Grants for low-income families. Students typically balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing career training or preparing to transfer to four-year schools. The diverse mix includes significant Hispanic and Black representation alongside white students from rural Berkshire County communities.

Men: 31.9%
Women: 68.1%
White: 66.7%
Black: 9.1%
Hispanic: 13.6%
Asian: 1.2%
In-State Students: 96.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 36.1%

Location

Pittsfield sits in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts, about 130 miles from Boston and 45 miles from Albany, New York. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of Berkshire County, surrounded by rolling hills and outdoor recreation opportunities. With 96.23% of students coming from in-state, the college primarily serves local residents in this rural-fringe setting. The Berkshires are known for summer arts festivals, including Tanglewood and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, though Pittsfield itself is more of a former industrial city transitioning to a service economy. Students considering colleges in Massachusetts may also compare Berkshire Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201-5786

BCC - Ellen Kennedy at Springfield Technical Community College

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,832
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,807
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 42.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $128/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,053

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Berkshire Community College?

As a community college, Berkshire Community College maintains an open admission policy for most programs. The school serves 1,100 students primarily from western Massachusetts, with 96.23% of students coming from in-state. Founded in 1960, BCC focuses on providing accessible education to the Berkshire region.

How much does Berkshire Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,177 annually at Berkshire Community College. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,965 after aid, while in-state tuition starts at $5,612. About 36% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to serve working-class communities in the Berkshires.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Berkshire Community College?

Berkshire Community College maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in small class settings. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on career training and transfer preparation. This intimate learning environment helps students navigate both technical programs and academic pathways to four-year schools.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Berkshire Community College?

Graduates achieve a 94.3% employment rate, though median earnings of $38,832 after ten years reflect the school's focus on regional workforce needs. The 22.8% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges serving working students who often attend part-time. Monthly loan payments average just $128, making BCC an affordable pathway to middle-class careers.

Where is Berkshire Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the scenic Berkshire Mountains region known for arts and outdoor recreation. With 68% women and 67% white students, the campus reflects the demographics of rural western Massachusetts. The Falcons compete in athletics while serving a primarily commuter student population drawn from the surrounding hill towns.

Does Berkshire Community College offer good financial aid for low-income students?

The college provides strong support for working-class students, with 36% receiving Pell Grants and families under $30,000 paying just $4,965 net price. Only 12.36% receive institutional grants averaging $6,697, but the low sticker price keeps education accessible. Students graduate with median debt of only $12,053, lower than four-year institutions.