| Index | New Bedford | Massachusetts | National |
| Average Test Scores | 39% | 52% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 14:1 | 14:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 30 | 1,167 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 13 | 508 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 2 | 193 | 7,963 |

| Index | New Bedford | Massachusetts | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 70.4% | 88.3% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 67.5% | 87.2% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 40.4% | 65.0% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 23.3% | 49.0% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 15.8% | 41.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 5.5% | 18.2% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.2% | 5.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.5% | 2.6% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 30 public schools, 13 private schools and 2 post-secondary schools in New Bedford. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for New Bedford, MA schools is 39%. The average student to teacher ratio is 14:1. In New Bedford, MA, an average of 70.4% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 67.5% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mattapoisett Center, MA | 3,275 | 73% | 52.6% |
| Marion Center, MA | 1,103 | 61% | 27.1% |
| Bliss Corner, MA | 5,454 | 57% | 18.8% |
| Somerset, MA | 18,700 | 56% | 17.3% |
| North Lakeville, MA | 3,305 | 55% | 13.5% |
| New Bedford, MA | 97,315 | 39% | 19.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Sunrise, FL | 97,297 | 53% | 9.9% |
| South Gate, CA | 97,255 | 37% | 22.6% |
| Livonia, MI | 97,392 | 53% | 11.0% |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 41% | 14.8% |
| Lawton, OK | 97,207 | 35% | 26.4% |
| New Bedford, MA | 97,315 | 39% | 19.6% |