Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Affordable online associate degrees prepare you for entry-level careers and further studies. Popular degree choices include business, nursing, and more.
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Updated September 27, 2024

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Affordable online associate degree programs provide value and flexibility. After graduating, you can pursue entry-level jobs or continue your education. You can use a two-year degree from an accredited college to transfer into many bachelor's programs.

You'll also enjoy higher earning power. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people with associate degrees earned median weekly salaries of $1,005 in 2022. That's about 7.5% more than workers with some college education but no degree, and 17.8% more than workers with only a high school diploma.

This guide to cheap online associate degrees explains the value of two-year programs and explores popular subjects you can study at the associate level. Use it to kick-start your research into suitable learning opportunities.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Top Online Associates Programs

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees of 2024

#1 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Eastern Gateway Community College

  • Steubenville, OH
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $131-$137
Out-of-State | $138

Credits to Graduate: 60

Eastern Gateway Community College offers dozens of associate degree programs in areas spanning business, education, health science, and public service. You can also earn a two-year degree in multiple engineering, information technology, and technical machining disciplines.

With 96% of students attending virtual classes, EGCC caters to the needs of online learners. A 2022 IPEDS Data Feedback Report on graduation rates also found that EGCC significantly outperformed a control group of peer institutions. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,115
Out-of-state
$7,727
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
64%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
45,173
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#2 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University

  • Manchester, NH
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $330
Out-of-State | $330

Credits to Graduate: 60 

Southern New Hampshire University offers a renowned online learning experience. The school develops all its e-learning programs under the guidance of subject-matter experts in online education. Students enjoy excellent flexibility and on-demand access to a strong support network.

You can earn a 100% online associate degree in your choice of 10 career-focused subjects. SNHU's lineup of online associate degrees mainly focuses on STEM subjects. You can also study accounting, business, criminal justice, and creative pursuits like digital photography.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$15,000
Out-of-state
$15,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$18,900
Out-of-state
$18,900
Retention Rate
62%
Acceptance Rate
92%
Students Enrolled
145,533
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
96% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#3 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Purdue University Global

  • West Lafayette, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $280
Out-of-State | $315-$371

Credits to Graduate: 60

Purdue Global pairs the name recognition of one of Indiana's largest public colleges with the convenience of 100% online learning. At Purdue, you can earn an associate of arts or applied science in nine subject areas. Popular options include business, education, information technology, legal studies, and nursing.

Interactive learning methods define the Purdue Global student experience, and online programs use asynchronous schedules so you can study anytime. Beyond standard forms of federal aid, Purdue Global students can also access need-based, merit-based, and other state-level grant programs.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$10,080
Out-of-state
$13,356
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,730
Out-of-state
$9,700
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
43,458
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
100% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#4 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Eastern Wyoming College

  • Torrington, WY
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $105
Out-of-State | $315

Credits to Graduate: 60

At Eastern Wyoming College, you can earn a 100% online associate degree in business, criminal justice, education, or interdisciplinary studies. Beyond scheduling flexibility, EWC delivers customized academic support, tutoring, and research assistance services to online students.

If you need help paying for college, EWC offers lots of options. The school features a generous lineup of foundation-based, private, and institutional scholarships. EWC also participates in Wyoming's Hathaway Scholarships program, which awards both merit-based and need-based funding.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,150
Out-of-state
$9,450
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
66%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
1,367
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
27% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#5 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Southern Arkansas University Tech

  • Camden, AR
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $186
Out-of-State | $186

Credits to Graduate: 60-65

The online associate programs at Southern Arkansas University Tech prepare you to successfully transfer into four-year degree paths. SAU Tech offers 100% online two-year programs in business administration, criminal justice, education, and health sciences. You can also earn an associate degree in environmental management, fire science management, or general studies.

SAU Tech's online learning experience emphasizes both flexibility and peer interactions. You can take live-streamed courses in real-time, which immerse you in a virtual environment that replicates the traditional classroom.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,240
Out-of-state
$4,680
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
984
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
41% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#6 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

CUNY Kingsborough Community College

  • Brooklyn, NY
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $210
Out-of-State | $320

Credits to Graduate: 60

Part of the CUNY system, Kingsborough Community College offers 100% online associate degrees through its KCC FLEX program. You can prepare for a bachelor's degree with a general liberal arts program or pursue one of 10 career-focused associate degrees. 

Career-track degrees focus on niche specializations like mental health services, community health, addiction studies, tourism, and the business of fashion. Through its Riggio Scholarship program, KCC offers scholarships, emergency grants, and tuition support for new and returning students. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,800
Out-of-state
$7,680
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
14,214
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#7 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Panola College

  • Carthage, TX
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $60
Out-of-State | $200

Credits to Graduate: 60

Panola College delivers some of the lowest in-state tuition rates of any regionally accredited school. Nonresident and international students also enjoy tuition fees that fall well below national averages.

Panola offers degree programs through its schools of nursing and health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and professional and technical studies. The college mainly focuses on equipping you with career-ready skills, or preparing you to transfer into a four-year institution.

You'll also benefit from a flexible online learning model. Panola supports asynchronous learning, and you can choose to enroll in self-paced options for certain courses and programs.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$792
Out-of-state
$792
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
68%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,469
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
71% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#8 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Roane State Community College

  • Harriman, TN
  • 2 years
  • Online

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $176
Out-of-State | $726

Credits to Graduate: 60-66

At Roane State Community College, you can earn a 100% online associate degree in computer programming, criminal justice, elementary education, geographic information systems, or health information management. You can also prepare to transfer into a four-year college by completing an AS degree in general science.

Roane State's online learning model includes fully online courses, along with interactive video-based classes and hybrid options that enhance traditional learning methods. The method works — in 2021,13 Roane State programs reported 100% job placement rates.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,326
Out-of-state
$17,230
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
54%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
4,775
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
52% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#9 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

God's Bible School and College

  • Cincinnati, OH
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $275
Out-of-State | $275

Credits to Graduate: 60-68

You can study more than just theology at God's Bible School and College. GBSC also offers a 100% online associate program in business, and you can also design your own customized two-year degree. Graduates of the design-your-own-degree path have gone on to careers in construction, education, nutrition, physical therapy, and more.

GBSC wants you to graduate with little to no debt. The school supports this goal through strong financial aid programs, including institutional scholarships valued at up to $5,500.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,500
Out-of-state
$6,500
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,920
Out-of-state
$7,920
Retention Rate
86%
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
348
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
86% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#10 Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees

Lone Star College System

  • The Woodlands, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $103-$231
Out-of-State | $290

Credits to Graduate: 60 

The Lone Star College System supports your educational journey with a diverse lineup of academically focused online associate degrees. Study English, history, political science, or sociology, or earn a career-oriented credential in fields like computer science, engineering, business, or speech communication.

All LSC degrees are designed for transfer students preparing for four-year programs. To help you meet costs, LSC offers five types of aid: grants, scholarships, workforce grants, workforce scholarships, and relief funding. You can receive more than one type of aid as long as the total amount awarded doesn't exceed your tuition fees.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,800
Out-of-state
$6,120
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
68,653
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
67% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

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Why Get an Online Associate Degree?


  • Flexibility: You have many options after completing an affordable online associate degree. You can start a career or continue your studies at the bachelor's level. Online learning also offers you the freedom to study wherever and whenever you like.
  • Practicality: Associate programs often focus on career-oriented training. They also lay the educational foundations for additional degrees. Both features make them practical and useful.
  • Affordability: Lots of accredited community colleges offer cheap online associate degrees. You'll also avoid the costs associated with commuting, parking, and physical relocation. Online programs also make it easier for you to work while you study, which eases the financial sting of higher education.
  • Efficiency: If you study full-time, you can earn an associate degree in about two years. That's a quick, efficient timeline. Accelerated programs can help you graduate even faster.
  • Higher Earning Power: Workers with associate degrees earn higher median salaries than those with just a high school diploma. In fact, the BLS reports those with an associate degree make an average of $150 more per week.

How Much Does an Online Associate Degree Cost?

You'll spend a lot less on an associate degree than you would in a four-year program. Two-year colleges tend to have much lower tuition rates, and you'll also cut your attendance time in half.

Stats from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2021-22 school year show just how much you can save by pursuing an associate degree. This data covers average tuition rates and required fees at public two-year colleges:

Compare that with average tuition rates and required fees at public four-year colleges:

Affordable online associate degrees also give you many other ways to save. Some schools charge their online learners low, flat-rate tuition fees regardless of location. If you live in a state where you're not a resident, you can use this to save on out-of-state attendance costs.

You'll also save both time and money by avoiding commuting and parking costs, and you won't have to move to attend your preferred school.

7 Popular Online Associate Degrees

You'll find all kinds of interesting and worthwhile things to study at the associate level. The following seven subject areas are particularly popular with online students in two-year programs.

1. Accounting

Online associate accounting programs can help you become a bookkeeper or accounting clerk. You'll also build an educational foundation that you can transfer to a four-year degree program. With an accounting bachelor's, you can become a certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA).

2. Business Administration

With an online associate degree in business administration, you can qualify for supporting roles in business management. Job options include:

These career paths pay median salaries of $67,650 per year.

3. Criminal Justice

An online associate degree in criminal justice can help you become a police officer, corrections counselor, or court officer, among other roles. Your earning potential may approach the level of Medical billing and coding programs equip you with in-demand skills. BLS projections cite 9% job growth for medical records specialists from 2023-33. Those who work for private businesses and hospitals earn about $50,000 per year, on average.

5. Nursing

There's a reason online associate degrees in nursing are so popular: They lead to well-paid, in-demand healthcare careers. Registered nurses earn a median salary of more than $86,000 per year, according to the BLS. A two-year nursing degree can help you get started.

6. Psychology

With an online associate degree in psychology, you could work in counseling, community service, or mental healthcare. According to the BLS, these career paths are poised for job growth rates as high as 19% from 2023-33.

7. Radiology

If you're looking to enter a stable, well-paid career in healthcare, an associate degree in radiology might be just the ticket. Radiologic technicians earn median salaries of more than $73,000 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Associate Degrees

Can you get an associate degree online?

Yes. Hundreds of accredited institutions offer affordable online associate degree programs in a full selection of subject areas. You can study online full-time or part-time. In some programs, you can enjoy complete control over your learning schedule, while others require you to attend online lectures at set times.

If you study full-time, you can earn an associate degree in about two years. Associate degree programs usually cover about 60 semester credits, which is about half the number typically covered in a four-year bachelor's program.

Well-paid careers open to people with associate degrees include jobs in nursing, policing, and healthcare technology. For example, you can become a registered nurse with an associate degree and earn a median salary of more than $86,000 per year.

Dental hygienists also typically hold associate degrees. These health professionals commanded median salaries of $87,530 per year as of May 2023. However, these career paths may require in-person clinicals to meet graduation requirements.

In terms of time, the easiest online associate degrees to get come from fast-paced accelerated programs. You can graduate from an accelerated online associate program in as little as one year.

With regard to academic difficulty, "easy" and "hard" are relative concepts, and it's difficult to make generalizations. If you're new to higher education, general studies programs often provide a solid introduction free of heavy academic pressure.


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