An associate's degree is a post-secondary academic degree that is awarded after two years of study, and typically marks a student's half-way point to earning a bachelor's degree. While some students opt to stop college after earning their associate's degree, as it is sufficient education to enter the workforce in many careers, other students use their associate's degrees as transfer degrees to move to a four-year university. Whatever your reason, we have listed below the top online colleges offering AA, AABA, ADN, AS, AAS, and other common associates degrees.
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Liberty University — Liberty University offers more than 115 programs of study: undergraduate or graduate courses, residential, online or hybrid options. With over 12,000 residential students and more than 45,000 online students, Liberty is big, but class sizes are low, with a 23:1 student-to-professor ratio.
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Kaplan University — At Kaplan University, students have a multitude of degree options, including degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's level. Students also can choose certificates in education, business, information technology, arts and sciences, healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, and law.
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Ivy Bridge College — Ivy Bridge College, a division of Tiffin University, offers online associate's degree programs in accounting, business, computer science, health care administration, criminal justice, and more. The online programs offered at Ivy provide the flexibility and convenience of accredited online learning while offering unrivaled mentoring and student support.
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University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix is America's largest university, featuring a student body of over 420,000 that engage in the study of one of 100 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral levels at more than 200 campuses worldwide. A flexible online program and open enrollment make the University of Phoenix a top choice.
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Ashford University — Founded in 1918, Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees both on campus and online. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the school is a strong leader in education of a diverse student body.
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DeVry University — The mainstay brand leader in education, DeVry offers business administration, computer information systems, engineering, network and communications management, and health information technology degrees. Students are able to complete their degree in about three years.
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Rasmussen College — With campuses in Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, Florida, Wisconsin, and throughout the world via the distance learning campus, Rasmussen College offers Bachelor of Science (BS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Science (AS) degrees in a variety of exciting disciplines.
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Post University — For students looking for fast-paced solutions to jump-start or advance their careers, Post University has added several online programs to its course catalog. You will find that these online programs offer convenience and affordability not found in many campus programs. Moreover, these programs can be completed from any computer – no special software required.
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South University — South University if one of the largest and top schools in the nation with a wide range of associates degrees available. Many associates degrees are also available through online courses with students attending class from computers across the country. All degree programs, online and at the campus, are recognized and accredited.
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Keiser University — For career-oriented curriculum and an education that students can apply to real-world situations immediately upon graduation, students can select from a multitude of Associates Degrees from Keiser University. These programs are designed to be completed in as little as eighteen (18) months (sometimes shorter) and offer flexibility in where and when students complete coursework.
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Baker College — Quickly achieve your life goals by choosing Baker College for your college education. Students will find engaging programs through hands-on assignments and career-oriented curriculum. BC also has an online division dedicated to providing online, accredited degree programs for students who cannot commit to campus programs.
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Everest University — As a respected provider of education, Everest University takes a practical approach to its curriculum for students. Courses are available online and can be completed at a relatively fast pace which students can work on at school, home, or even on the go. EU strive to develop education that follows the industry’s standard and best practices.
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Strayer University — Featuring over 75 campuses, Strayer University offers a curriculum designed for working adults seeking career advancement. Strayer provides instruction leading to associate's degrees in accounting, business, criminal justice, information systems, management, public administration, health services administration, and education.
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California Coast University — For students wanting a fast way to jump-start their careers, California Coast University has made several degrees available through online programs. These courses can be completed in as little as eighteen (18) months in many cases and assignments can be completed and turned in from your home, school, or even on the go. This is great for students who need to balance school with busy work schedules.
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Colorado Technical University — Colorado Technical University focuses its course catalog on degrees that help students obtain jobs in the technology field or positions that require a technical understanding or working with computers to accomplish primary responsibility. Many of these position can be filled by individuals holding Associates Degrees, making CTU a great way to jump-start your career.
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Cleveland Institute of Electronics — The online associates degree programs at Cleveland Institute of Electronics can be completed in as little as eighteen (18) months, making this a fast way for students to work towards their career objectives. An associates degree can give you a boost to starting your career and open opportunities down the road. Many of the programs can help students pursue positions in always-expanding industries.
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Virginia College — Virginia College takes a practical approach to education. Its course catalog contains programs that are designed with the current working environment and latest technology in mind. Because of this, students are able to apply their skills and knowledge obtained throughout their college careers to real-world situations immediately upon graduation.
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Herzing University — With colleges spanning the nation and a history that dates back almost 50 years, students have looked to Herzing University to deliver an education they can use to accomplish career goals. Herzing has added online programs for several of its associate's degrees, including many of the most popular programs in its course catalog. In addition, these courses provides students a means to fill entry level positions industries with growing opportunities.
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Bryant & Stratton College — For over 150 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been serving students and alumni with excellence and quality in their degree programs. The online programs that Bryant & Stratton has recently added to its course catalog are no different. The driving factor behind its success is working with industry professionals to develop assignments and subject matter you can apply to a career immediately upon graduating.
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Carrington College California — Carrington College California is backed with quality education and years of helping students position themselves in the center of many fast-growing and exciting industries. CCC has added many Online Associates Degrees to its course catalog is response to students seeking a fast, affordable, and convenient way to earn their degree.
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Brookline College — Associates degrees are a great way for students looking to quickly start their careers through an affordable solution. Brookline College offers several associates degrees online and at the campus. These degrees are designed to be completed in just eighteen (18) months and are accredited.
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American InterContinental University — American InterContinental University offers a variety of dynamic industry-current degree programs. The university offers both on campus and online courses, providing you with tremendous flexibility. The Virtual Campus includes many features you would find on a physical campus, including library, career services, student clubs, and financial aid information.
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Westwood College — Westwood College provides students degree options at the associate, bachelor's, master's level in such fields as business administration, criminal justice, game art and design, medical assistance, and computer network management. Westwood is know for its free tutoring program and computer support network.
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American Military University — American Military University provides distance learning degree programs to more than 50,000 worldwide. Degree programs are offered in over 100 disciplines, including education, technology, business administration, liberal arts, national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security, and criminal justice.
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Regent University — Under the leadership of current Chancellor Pat Robertson, Regent University is designed to provide students a rock-solid education based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. With a model of "Christian Leadership to Change the World", the school offers coursework in a variety of disciplines, including Accounting, Biblical and Theological Studies, Business, and Christian Studies.
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Looking for an Associates Degree?
Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.
What is an Associate's Degree?
An associate degree is a 2-year undergraduate academic degree. Community colleges, junior colleges, and technical colleges award associate degrees. In some cases bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities also give associate degrees upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years. An associate degree is the lowest in the hierarchy of post-secondary academic degrees offered in the U.S. and Western Canada. The degree can be a stepping-stone on the way to getting a bachelor’s degree, but it’s also a valid diploma in it’s own right, and a helpful device for marketing your education to your future employers.
The best thing about getting an associates degree online is the flexible nature it provides—you can earn a degree from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Usually you can select a program with course work that doesn’t interfere with your work schedule so you can continue to work part-time or full-time while getting a degree. Occasionally your employer will help with tuition reimbursement if you’re pursing a career-related associates degree, so check with your human resources department to see if your employer participates in a tuition reimbursement program.
Types of Associate's Degrees
There are many associate degrees out there that can help you pursue the education and trade that you want. Every school has their own unique offerings of associate degrees.
Most associate degrees can be broken into 8 categories, with specific degrees and jobs falling within those categories:
- Arts and Humanities: Fashion Design, General Studies, Liberal Arts
- Business: Accounting, Applied Management, Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Business Administration, Business Management, Financial Planning, Marketing, Office Management
- Computers and IT: Computer Science, Computer Technology, Information Systems, General Technology, Web Design, Web Programming
- Criminal Justice/Social Sciences: Criminal Justice, Police Officer, Justice Administration, Paralegal
- Education and Teaching: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education
- Health and Medicine: Medical Administration, Medical Billing, Medical Transcription, Nursing, Physical Therapy
- Science and Technology: Applied Science, Electronics, Nuclear Technology, Social Psychology, Social Work
Traders and Careers: Automotive and Mechanics, Carpentry and Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electricians, Engineering, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Plumbing, Real Estate, Welding
Here is a list of common abbreviations of popular associate degrees:
- AA: Associate of Arts
- AE: Associate of Engineering or Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology
- AN: Associate of Nursing
- AS: Associate of Science
- AF: Associate of Forestry
- AT: Associate of Technology
- AAA: Associate of Applied Arts
- AAB: Associate of Applied Business
- AAS: Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts and Sciences
- AAT: Associate of Arts in Teaching
- ABA: Associate of Business Administration
- ABS: Associate of Baccalaureate Studies
- ADN: Associate Degree in Nursing
- AES: Associate of Engineering Science
- AET: Associate in Engineering Technology
- AFA: Associate of Fine Arts
- AGS: Associate of General Studies
- AIT: Associate of Industrial Technology
- AOS: Associate of Occupational Studies
- APE: Associate of Pre-Engineering
- APS: Associate of Political Science or Associate of Public Service
- ASPT-APT: Associate in Physical Therapy
There are a plethora of online associate degree programs, so it’s important to do your homework before you start applying or accepting programs. There are certain things you should check into such as:
- Is the institution accredited?
- How much is tuition? What is the price per hour or course?
- What do alumni say about the school and the program you’re interested in?
- How long will it take to get the degree?
- How much assistance will the school provide you?
- How often will you be required to log in each week to attend class?
- What is the course load like?
Before committing to any program, spend time getting familiar with its special features, advantages, and disadvantages. Contact professors or do online research to know what jobs are out there for your potential degree to be sure that you select the program right for you.
The Best Associate's Degrees for Today's Job Market
Pricing varies among programs of different colleges and universities, so one must take into account how much they’re spending for their degree in relation to how much they’ll earn in the future. Overall though, earning an associate degree will have a drastic impact on your potential earning. The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics did a study in 2007 that found the median earnings of young adults with an associate degree to earn $35,000 annually, compared to $29,000 for those with a high school diploma.
Recently The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked computer specialist ($68,570/year), radiation therapist ($66,170/year), and nuclear technician ($65,500/year) as the top earning careers for associate degrees. Dental hygienist, fashion designers, and nuclear medicine technologists come close to the top as well.
Through The Bureau of Labor Statistics, government economists estimate which occupations with associate degrees will have the most job openings between 2008 and 2018. The list is as follows:
- Registered nurses: 1,039,000
- Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants: 422,000
- Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: 391,000
- Computer support specialists: 235,000
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: 220,000
- Automotive service technicians and mechanics: 182,000
- Preschool teachers, except special education: 178,000
- Insurance sales agents: 153,000
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians: 136,000
- Real estate sales agents: 128,000
For more specific guidelines of how much you could earn in your potential associates degree, go to The Bureau of Labor Statistics selected occupational projections data website, and search by the education and training category.
What Kind of Financial Assistance Exists for Associate Degrees?
You can receive the same financial aid and assistance for associate degrees as you do for 4-year bachelor of art or science degrees.
The first thing you should do in wanting financial assistance is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will begin the process of determining how much federal aid you might be eligible to receive. On January 1 of every year, the U.S. Department of Education begins accepting FAFSA forms from potential students. Each year you’re allowed to re-submit a "renewal" FAFSA form with updated information from the previous year’s tax information. It’s important to check with your school’s financial department to determine deadlines for aid applications. State deadlines and federal deadlines don’t always line up, so depending on where your online degree program is based you may be required to process and submit the federal aid form earlier than expected. Advisors in the financial aid department should be able to tell you about non-federal grants available through the school.
Another place for financial advice and assistance for an online associates degree is the Department of Education’s home for Student Aid . It’s a Web based resource for different student aid options with a hub of information about federal aid and scholarships, as well as calculators to help you know how much you’ll need to borrow and how long you’ll need to pay it back.
Additional Resources About Associate's Degrees
If you’re interested in getting your associates degree online, there are plenty of resources to help you in the process.
- An important link you should check out is the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs . This is a searchable index of colleges and universities that have received national and/or regional accreditation. It is important to make sure you get your associates degree from an accredited school, as they offer the best education that employers will trust. This database is invaluable to you if you’re considering online education.
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also has a Web based database with more than 7,900 degree-granting and non-degree-granting institutions and more than 20,000 programs that are accredited by United States accrediting organizations.
- A helpful database that allows you to search online degree programs by the level of degrees awarded is the U.S. News & World Report. If you have a list of potential associates degree programs you’re trying to decide between, this website can help you through that process with important statistics and information.
- AssociatesDegree.org is an online directory of associate’s degree programs. The website provides information on associate’s degree basics, employment opportunities for associate degree holders, and school accreditation, as well as advice on choosing an area of study, college, or career. It breaks potential degrees into categories so you can explore a certain title more extensively.
Looking for an Associates Degree?
Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.
