Best Affordable Online Associate Degrees 2025

What Sets It Apart

Itawamba Community College offers eight online programs, including degrees in business and marketing management, criminal justice, and early childhood education. It offers competitive in-state tuition rates and programs designed to accommodate nontraditional students. You can access career, foundation, transfer, and achievement scholarships, plus VA education benefits.  

Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,550
Out of State | $2,750

Why Students Choose Itawamba Community College

• Online Student Support: You can access an online student orientation, academic support, and technical assistance. 
• Self-Paced Courses: Programs include asynchronous options so you can complete courses on your own time.

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• Competitive Out-of-State Tuition: You could earn your associate degree for $11,000.
• Credit Transfer: The school offers options to transfer to partner colleges to continue working toward your bachelor’s degree online.
• Free Tuition for Retirees: If you're 65 or older or a retiree of the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System, you can take classes tuition-free if space is available. 

What Sets It Apart

Ivy Tech Community College offers more than 70 degree programs. You can choose from over 30 fully online synchronous or asynchronous programs, as well as hybrid formats. Completely online programs include associate degrees in accounting, building construction management, paralegal studies, psychology, and software development. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $2,577
Out of State | $4,968

Why Students Choose Ivy Tech Community College

• Flexible Program Formats: Choose the best program for your learning style and schedule.
• Control Costs: The school offers a flat rate for textbooks and courseware to simplify budgeting.
• Flexible Tuition: Ivy Tech offers payment plans, and many students attend tuition-free through Indiana's Next Level Jobs program.

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• Transfer Options: Ivy Tech credits transfer to more than 100 colleges and universities in Indiana and other states, helping you save on a bachelor's degree. 
• Dual Credit: Indiana high school and career center students can enroll to begin earning credits toward a degree.

What Sets It Apart

Roane State Community College offers more than 30 completely online degrees in conjunction with the Tennessee Transfer Pathway. Choose from associate degree programs in criminal justice, history, mass communications, political science, psychology, sociology, pre-law, pre-nursing, and more. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $2,340
Out of State | $9,156

Why Students Choose Roane State Community College

• Tuition Savings: You can save on tuition while preparing to transfer to a bachelor's degree program or start your career. 
• Transfer Options: Tennessee colleges work with Roane State to offer a clear Transfer Pathway program that reduces the anxiety of credit transfers.
• Personalized Attention: Small class sizes mean you can get one-on-one attention from your professor.

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• Out-of-State Tuition: Tuition for out-of-state students is much higher than tuition for in-state students at many of Tennessee's four-year colleges.
• Tennessee Promise: The state offers scholarships that allow qualifying high school graduates to attend tuition-free.
• Tennessee Reconnect: Adults pursuing their first degrees can also attend tuition-free if they meet certain requirements. 

What Sets It Apart

Central New Mexico Community College offers more than 80 programs, many of which provide the option to take classes 100% online, in person, or in a hybrid format. You can get job training in careers like business animation or cardiovascular sonography or pursue an associate degree in fields including beverage production and management, biotechnology, and aviation technology. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $816
Out of State | $4,128

Why Students Choose Central New Mexico Community College

• Low In-State Tuition: At less than $70 per credit for tuition, in-state students could graduate with an associate degree for less than $4,000. 
• Adult Basic Education: The school offers GED and ESL courses that prepare you to start pursuing a degree. 
• Unique Degrees: With varied degree programs, such as an AAS in welding, an AA in Native American Studies, and an AAS in nursing, you can find many offerings to fit your career goals. 

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• Dedicated Scholarship Page: The CNM website has a database that allows you to easily access numerous scholarships to reduce your tuition. 
• Job Placement: In addition to the typical career center services, CNM has a job board that connects students and alumni with local employers.

What Sets It Apart

Copiah-Lincoln Community College offers 42 associate degree programs, all 100% online. You can also enroll in non-credit online skills and career training, including courses in web design, grant writing, accounting, and more.  

Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,850
Out of State | $2,850

Why Students Choose Copiah-Lincoln Community College

• Low Cost: In-state students can graduate with an AA, AS, or AAS degree for less than $8,000. 
• Diverse Degree Options: Instructor-facilitated courses with flexible timing allow you to pursue degrees in diverse fields such as health sciences, education, law, or the humanities. 

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• Scholarships: You can access dedicated scholarships for academic achievement, leadership, athletics, and extracurricular activities. 
• Individualized Support: With a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1, you are offered more individualized attention both in and out of the classroom.

What Sets It Apart

Middlesex Community College was one of the first colleges in Massachusetts to offer online courses and remains an award-winning leader in online learning. Middlesex offers more than 80 associate degree and certificate programs, with 16 associate degree programs that can be completed entirely online. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,024
Out of State | $6,060

Why Students Choose Middlesex Community College

• Diverse Degree Options: The variety of academic programs can meet many career goals.
• Unique Degrees: Gain specialized experience in fashion merchandising, fire protection and safety technology, and other unique fields.
• Experienced Faculty: Middlesex's faculty has been teaching online classes for over 20 years.

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• Strong Financial Aid: Get the support you need with scholarships offered through the Middlesex Community College Foundation, and Massachusetts residents can access a number of state-funded grants. 
• Access Payment Plans: Flexible, interest-free payment options can help reduce the financial burden of college costs.  

What Sets It Apart

Community College of Philadelphia has been at the forefront of online education for over 25 years. More than 10,000 students enroll in online courses annually. Each academic year, CCP offers over 500 online courses and 200+ hybrid course options. You can choose from eight online associate degree programs plus four online certificate programs.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $2,385 for Philadelphia residents; $4,770 for Pennsylvania residents
Out of State | $7,155

Why Students Choose Community College of Philadelphia

• Ultra-Low Cost for Locals: If you're a Philadelphia resident, you could earn an associate degree for under $10,000. 
• Flexible Class Schedule: Choose from asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid course options to fit your learning goals and schedule. 

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• Admissions: The application process for online students is the same as for on-campus students. 
• State Limitation: California residents can take courses at CCP, but California is the only state not part of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which may affect transfer credits. 

What Sets It Apart

Southern Crescent Technical College offers 38 degree and certificate programs that are 100% online, including seven associate degree options. Choose from degree programs in consumer economics, business technology, human resource management, logistics and supply chain management, criminal justice technology, and more. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,605
Out of State | $3,210

Why Students Choose Southern Crescent Technical College

• Low In-State Tuition: In-state students could earn an associate degree for under $6,500, making it one of the least expensive degrees you can get.
• Support: SCTC offers online students access to college resources and technology, helping you reach your personalized career goals. 

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• Language Accommodation: If you are a non-native English speaker, SCTC can provide translation and interpretation services, English language classes, and other language assistance. 
• Program Readiness: In addition to an application with transcripts, you'll need to complete an assessment of program readiness when you apply. 

What Sets It Apart

Atlanta Technical College offers self-paced and interactive online courses led by expert instructors. It offers more than 150 programs of study with many specializations that lead to degrees, certificates, or diplomas. You can choose from flexible learning options including dual enrollment, evening-weekend courses, or 100% online courses.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,500
Out of State | $3,000

Why Students Choose Atlanta Technical College

• Flexible Specializations: Each main degree category offers diverse fields within those categories, including barbering, business technology, paralegal studies, forensics, horticulture, photography, and many more. 
• More Medical Degrees: You can choose from 10 healthcare specializations, including dental assisting, pharmacy technology, or radiological technology, some of which offer online course options.  
• Technical Support: ATC has technical experts on call to assist students with signing in, email, or other online learning components. 

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• Fast Degree Programs: You can earn a degree in one to two years, and some certificate programs take only eight weeks to complete.
• Veteran Support: ATC offers specialized scholarship opportunities and VA education support.
• Enroll During High School: You could earn college credits if you're at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school.  

What Sets It Apart

Vance-Granville Community College offers 12 degree programs 100% online, in areas such as public safety administration, criminal justice, accounting, teacher preparation, and information technology. VGCC is one of 58 schools in the North Carolina Community College System, which boasts a strong reputation for student success. 

Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,140

Out of State | $4,020

Why Students Choose Vance-Granville Community College

• Small Class Size: Even as an online student, you'll benefit from personalized attention from experienced instructors.
• Low Cost: While out-of-state tuition is higher, in-state students can earn an associate degree for just $4,600. 
• Strong Student Outcomes: With an emphasis on outcomes and licensure, the faculty is dedicated to improving student success and creating pathways to entry-level jobs. 

Know Before You Enroll

• Application: You'll need to choose a program of study before applying. 
• Scholarships: VGCC offers access to academic, presidential, and merit scholarships. 
• Dual Enrollment: The dual enrollment option gives high school students a structured opportunity to work toward a degree, certificate, or other credential.