Today, NEC serves over 5,000 undergraduate, graduate and online students annually. We offer more than 60 associate and bachelor’s degree programs, more than 20 master’s degree programs, and two doctoral programs, all delivered by dedicated and accomplished faculty in the liberal arts tradition and with an emphasis on experiential learning.
We are stronger than ever and so is our commitment to making higher education accessible for everyone who wants to pursue it: students who are the first in their families to attend college, students who are ready to achieve their full potential, students who are going back to school or charting a new course, students from every background.
NEC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
In 2026, New England College proudly marks its 80th anniversary, a milestone that honors eight decades of transformative education, meaningful community, and unwavering commitment to shaping the future. From our humble beginnings to today’s dynamic community of learners, NEC has stood as a place of resilience, innovation, and connection, poised for growth over the next 80 years and beyond. Join the celebration!
In 2025, NEC was designated a Purple Heart College, joining a national network of institutions committed to honoring and supporting Purple Heart recipients and military-connected students. The designation reflects NEC’s longstanding commitment to service, access, and student support. “Our connection to the military community has been part of who we are since the beginning. New England College was founded in 1946 to serve returning World War II veterans, offering education and opportunity to those who had served our nation,” stated Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of NEC. “Nearly 80 years later, that spirit of service and resilience continues to guide us. This designation reaffirms our mission to support those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.”
