Bay Path University

Points of Pride

Since its founding, Bay Path University has provided innovative, career-focused education that evolves with the needs of students and the modern workforce. The University is consistently recognized for advancing social mobility, particularly for first-generation college students, and for creating meaningful pathways to personal and professional success.

History

Established in 1897 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Bay Path began as a coeducational business school—then called Bay Path Institute—offering programs in accounting, business administration, secretarial science, and business teacher training. In 1945, the college relocated to Longmeadow and transitioned to a women-only institution, becoming Bay Path Secretarial School; four years later it was chartered as Bay Path Junior College. In 1988, the Massachusetts Board of Regents authorized Bay Path to award four- year degrees, prompting a name change to Bay Path College. By 2014, with more than 20 master’s degrees, Bay Path rebranded as Bay Path University, at the same time launching The American Women’s College, the nation’s first fully accredited, all-women, all-online bachelor’s degree program. In 2024, Bay Path announced an agreement to acquire Cambridge College. As a result of this transformative move, Bay Path University now serves over 4,000 students across its expanded footprint—including campuses Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Boston, Massachusetts, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. It offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and over 30 graduate and doctoral programs for women and men, delivered on campus, online through BPU Online, and in hybrid formats.