Associate programs can also be more affordable and easier to access than online college degrees. Many schools offer open admission policies. Opting for an online associate degree adds another layer of convenience. You’ll enjoy more flexibility than on-campus programs offer. Online learning features fewer travel requirements and more scheduling options. With an associate degree, graduates can access entry-level positions and transfer paths to bachelor’s programs. Here, we explore the best online associate degrees.
Top 5 online associate degrees: Quick facts
The best online associate programs
To determine the best online associate programs, we apply ZDNet’s ranking methodology to our carefully curated school and program lists. We use federally reported and publicly available data from reputable sources. Indianapolis, IN $292.57 out-of-state Application fee: Free Houston, TX $121 out-of-district $151 out-of-state Application fee: $75 El Paso, TX $201 out-of-state Application fee: Not publicly available Cleveland, OH $149.08 out-of-county $286.19 out-of-state Application fee: Not publicly available Annandale, VA $359.65 out-of-state Application fee: Free Other options include private loans and scholarships and grants. You can apply for scholarships through government agencies, schools, and private organizations. We’ve gathered dozens of scholarships at the links below. Make sure you review the requirements for each award before applying.
Best Computer Science ScholarshipsIT scholarships: Paying for a degree in information technologyScholarships for students with disabilitiesScholarships for racial minorities in STEMStem scholarships for women
Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN About the school: The online associate degrees at Ivy Tech Community College start every eight weeks. Some programs feature transfer paths to bachelor’s programs at in-state institutions.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 19%Avg. annual net price: $7,669Time to completion: Two to three yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.6Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Ivy Tech Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 2. Houston Community College Houston, TX About the school: The third-largest online community college in the country, Houston Community College features online associate degrees with 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week online courses.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 17%Avg. annual net price: $4,813Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Houston Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 3. El Paso Community College El Paso, TX About the school: El Paso Community College offers online course options for students pursuing associate degrees. The number of courses available online depends on the program.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 21%Avg. annual net price: $3,848Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: No publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: El Paso Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 4. Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH About the school: The Cuyahoga Community College District offers 100% online and blended online associate degrees featuring proctored exams and internship opportunities.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 28%Avg. annual net price: $4,909Time to completion: Two to three yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: Cuyahoga Community College District is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 5. Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA About the school: Northern Virginia Community College enrolls more than 20,000 students annually in its online associate degrees. Online courses vary in length from 4-15 weeks.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 25%Avg. annual net price: $9,452Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 6. Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM About the school: Central New Mexico Community College offers online associate degrees in business, liberal arts, communication, cybersecurity, and criminology.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 26%Avg. annual net price: $3,322Time to completion: One to three yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Central New Mexico Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 7. Palo Alto College San Antonio, TX About the school: At Palo Alto College, learners have access to online associate degrees in applied science, the arts, and teaching.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 16%Avg. annual net price: $5,601Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly available Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Palo Alto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 8. Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wesson, MS About the school: Online associate degrees at Copiah-Lincoln Community College are available in the humanities, business, social and health sciences, education, and career-technical disciplines.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 34%Avg. annual net price: $3,833Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: Copiah-Lincoln Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 9. Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD About the school: The online associate degrees at Lake Area Technical College feature a hybrid delivery format, which requires students to attend campus for certain courses and practical experiences.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 71%Avg. annual net price: $13,301Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Lake Area Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 10. Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville, OH About the school: Eastern Gateway Community College provides online associate degrees in health, public service, engineering, business, and education departments. Classes typically run throughout eight-week sessions within 8- to 16-week semesters.
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 20%Avg. annual net price: $2,543Time to completion: Two yearsAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Eastern Gateway Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
In conclusion
The best online associate degrees position graduates to enter many professional fields and academic disciplines. Associate programs offer many of the same disciplines as bachelor’s programs, though the training is more generalized and centered on fundamentals. Because of their cost, accessibility, and structure, associate programs are excellent paths to entry-level careers and continuing education.
