The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that employment in occupations that require an associate degree are expected to grow faster than other occupations that do not require a degree. The job growth outlook in careers that typically require an associate’s degree is faster or much faster than average through at least the year 2026.
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Students enrolled in online associate degree programs take the same courses, and have the same learning outcome expectations as students in traditional on-campus programs. Earning your online associates degree provides the same benefits and job opportunities as graduates that complete degree requirements in a classroom setting.
Earnings Expectations for the Best Online Associate Degree Program
Holders of an associate degree typically earn a considerably higher salary than workers that do not earn an associate’s degree. This fact, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is just one fact regarding the benefits of graduating from college with an associate-level degree.
One potentially surprising fact is the actual difference in median annual salary of individuals with an associate’s degree, compared to individuals without the degree. The BLS reveals that people with an associate’s degree, on average, earn approximately $15,100 more annually than people that hold only a certificate. The salary difference is even more significant among individuals that have some college but no associate’s degree or certificate.
Consider these online schools and programs for obtaining your associate’s degree. Start working towards a better future with higher earnings today.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dade College | Miami, Florida |
| 2 | Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno, Nevada |
| 3 | Cochise College | Sierra Vista, Arizona |
| 4 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, Nebraska |
| 5 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Georgia |
Best 20 Online Associate Degree Programs
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College offers award-winning instructional design in its online degree programs. The school offers an Associate of Arts – A.A. Pathway, which prepares students to continue their education at the bachelor’s level. The school also offers an Associate in Science degree in seven areas of study, including accounting, business administration, marketing management, and criminal justice.
Complete your online associate’s degree in less time than the required time at many other colleges.
Truckee Meadows Community College
Truckee Meadows Community College explains the benefits of earning your associate’s degree online as convenience, the benefit of expert instruction, and additional student support. The college offers A.A. degrees in anthropology, entrepreneurship, political science, business and other programs. The school offers an A.A.S. degree in law enforcement, logistics management and other areas.
Cochise College
Cochise College, located in Sierra Vista Arizona, has been offering online education since 1998. The school has been nationally ranked for its high success rate, and return on investment. The school has 12 associate degree programs, including an A.A.S. in Intelligence Operations Studies, an A.A. in Economics, and an A.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Northeast Community College
The associate degree programs offered by Northeast Community College provide students the opportunity to prepare for their future while enjoying the flexibility of online learning. Choose from two Associate of Applied Science degree options, or from 11 online Associate of Arts degree programs.
University of North Georgia
Experience online learning at the University of North Georgia, where the school offers flexible scheduling and affordable tuition. There are seven associate degree programs at the university. Some examples include the A.A. in Political Science degree, the A.S. in Healthcare Services and Informatics Administration, and the A.A. in Sociology degree.
Some students continue their education at the school and earn an advanced degree.
Central Texas College
Central Texas College touts the fact that the college offers ‘programs for students of the real world.’ Enroll in one of the 30 online programs and start working towards your future in a career of your choice. Some programs include an associate’s degree in Computer Science – Network Systems Administrator, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Medical Office Technology, and the Business Management program.
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Community College provides completely online and some blended format associate degree programs. There are 10 online associate’s degree programs at the school, including an Associate of Science in Business Administration, Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology, and the Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts.
American InterContinental University
The American InterContinental University offers just two online associate degree programs. The programs are in areas expected to grow in employment opportunities. Choose a degree in criminal justice, which often leads to a career as a law enforcement officer, prison employee, or a position in probation or parole. Criminal justice specialists work in their choice of juvenile or adult settings.
The other associate degree program at the school is in business administration. The degree prepares students to pursue their goals to work in business settings, and to gain skills in technology that is typically used in business occupations.
The school offers a 45 percent discount to active duty military students.
Hutchinson Community College
Complete an associate of arts or an associate of science degree at Hutchinson Community College and start your new career, advance your career opportunities or prepare for furthering your college education. The school offers several degree options in nursing, healthcare, agriculture, social sciences, and business. Some students opt to complete their degree in the humanities, IT, or the arts.
University of the Cumberlands
Complete an associate’s degree at the University of the Cumberlands and start your career or continue your education at the school after you earn the associate’s degree. Some associate degree online options include an associate’s degree in criminal justice, an A.A.S. in Information Technology, or an A.A.S. in psychology.
Online students receive the benefit of a lower tuition rate, compared to students attending classes on campus.
Broward College
Broward College indicates that more than 56,000 students took at least one online course at the school in 2018. Broward College offers 24-hour access to your courses and certain services. Students also have the advantage of 24-hour tutoring.
The school offers eight pathways to earning an associate’s degree, including degrees in the arts and humanities, business, health science, public safety, and science, technology, engineering and math.
Western Wyoming Community College
Choose from 24 online Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree programs at Western Wyoming University. The school offers its online programs in a 100 percent online format. The variety of programs offered are to make sure the school’s offerings meet the needs of a diverse student enrollment.
Some online associate degree programs include the Associate of Arts degree in Social Work, an Associate of Science degree in Elementary & Early Childhood Education, and an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration. Although associate degree programs typically take two years to complete, the school offers the Fast Track Associate of Applied Science in Business Management degree program that allows students to complete the program in as little as 16 months.
Sinclair Community College
Sinclair Community College, located in Dayton, Ohio offers 14 online associate degree programs. The programs include options such as an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems/Network Engineering, Associate of Arts in Sociology, and an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management degree. Sinclair Community College offers an online learning management system that helps provide online students with the tools and resources necessary for online learning success.
The school charges the same tuition for both in-state and out-of-state online students.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Complete your associate’s degree online at Indiana Wesleyan University, and start working right away, or continue your education by earning a bachelor’s, master’s post-master’s or doctorate degree at the school.
The university offers 25 programs that lead to an associate’s degree. Start your education by pursuing an A.S. degree in Creative Digital Media, an A.S. Integrative Studies – Business degree, or one of the other entirely online programs, such as the A.S. Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Southern New Hampshire University
Start your college education, prepare for a new career, or expand your career opportunities when you earn an associate’s degree at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). The school offers more than 200 degrees in an online format, allowing students that want to continue their education with the opportunity to earn an advanced degree. Students have the option of choosing an associate’s degree program in finance, art and design, liberal arts, social sciences, and other areas.
The school provides students with tutoring services, access to an online library, personal academic advisor, and other services, which the university considers, ‘world-class.’ Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their spouses receive a generous tuition discount.
Three Rivers Community College
Three Rivers Community College, located in Norwich, Connecticut, offers a 100 percent online Associate of Science in General Studies degree. The college explains that the program is a suitable degree for transfer to a four-year school, or for students that want greater flexibility in course offerings.
Students that continue on to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at the school receive reduced tuition.
Clovis Community College
Clovis Community College provides students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree without having to pursue the degree at the Fresno, California campus site. The school offers a variety of online associate degree programs suitable for transfer so that a student is prepared to continue their education after obtaining their associate’s degree.
Endicott College
The Van Loan School at Endicott College offers the flexibility of online learning with the opportunity to start or advance your career and education. Students pursue associate degree programs in criminal justice, computer science, integrated studies, and business.
Online students have the same access to resources as traditional students, including the Writing Center and library services. Students have access to 24-hour technical support.
Davenport University
Davenport University tailors its online associates degree programs to the needs of the market and to the needs of students. The school offers associate’s degrees in several areas, including finance, accounting, business administration, and health information technology. There are other online associate degree programs for students that want the flexibility of learning in an online format while still receiving the same, high-quality education as traditional students.
Methodology
We selected each school and associate’s degree program by assigning an individual score for specific criteria, and ranking those scores together. When there was a tie, the school with the lower tuition received the higher ranking. We do our best to be fair, accurate, and honest in our representation of each school by gathering the specific information directly from each school.
We do not permit any school to pay us for a higher ranking. Any supported school is listed separately and clearly labeled as SPONSORED.
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Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition and other information as these things periodically change. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to make sure that tuition and other information is current. Please note that the stated tuition only covers the cost of each credit hour of instruction. There are sometimes additional costs, such as registration fees, lab fees, books, or supplies.
