Dean College is a private college in Franklin, Massachusetts. It offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates. Dean College was founded by Oliver Dean as a co-educational academy, Dean Academy, in 1865. He gave the school approximately nine acres of land and donated $125,000 towards its construction. The first class at Dean Academy …Dean College is a private college in Franklin, Massachusetts. It offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates. Dean College was founded by Oliver Dean as a co-educational academy, Dean Academy, in 1865. He gave the school approximately nine acres of land and donated $125,000 towards its construction. The first class at Dean Academy was on October 1, 1866, with 44 students attending at the local Universalist Church.